Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB – GRAM G Bill 2025 PDF
The Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB—G RAM G) Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2025. The bill was passed on December 18, 2025. It replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA).
More Guaranteed Work Days
MGNREGA currently guarantees 100 days of work each year to rural households whose adult members are willing to do unskilled labour. The new Bill increases this guarantee to 125 days. Like in the old law, if someone asks for work and does not get it within 15 days, the state government must pay unemployment allowance. This rule remains unchanged.
How Funds Will Be Shared
Under the current MGNREGA system, the central government pays most of the wage and material costs, while states pay the rest, including unemployment allowance. The new Bill changes this. It says the scheme will now be a centrally sponsored scheme.
- All states except North-eastern and Himalayan states: Fund sharing will be 60% Centre – 40% State
- North-eastern & Himalayan states: 90% Centre – 10% State
States will still have to pay the unemployment allowance and compensation for late wage payments.
States to Pay Extra If They Cross the Limit
The Centre will fix a state-wise budget limit every year. If a state spends more than this allocated amount, the extra cost must be paid by the state government itself.
No Scheme Work During Farming Season
The Bill says that every year, states must declare a 60-day period during which no scheme-related work will be carried out. This “pause” period will cover busy agricultural seasons like sowing and harvesting.
Planning of Work
As in MGNREGA, Gram Panchayats will continue to identify and plan local works. The Bill says works must fall under four main categories:
- Water security
- Rural infrastructure
- Livelihood-related infrastructure
- Infrastructure for extreme weather situations
These plans will also be connected to the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Monitoring and Oversight
Like MGNREGA, there will be central and state-level councils for monitoring the scheme. The Bill also creates:
- A National Level Steering Committee to give high-level guidance and recommend state-wise allocations
- State-level Steering Committees to coordinate plans and ensure the scheme works smoothly
Use of Technology
The Bill pushes for modern technology to improve transparency, including:
- Biometric authentication for wage payments
- Geospatial technology for planning and monitoring
- Mobile-based dashboards for real-time updates
- Weekly public disclosure systems so progress is visible to everyone
