What happened: VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 enters force from 1 July 2026 and rural implementation begins

The Ministry of Rural Development stated that the <strong>Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025</strong> has come into force with effect from <strong>1 July 2026</strong> in rural areas of the entire country. The Ministry also stated that all States and Union Territories have notified the <strong>Viksit Bharat G RAM G Scheme</strong> under the Act and have started implementation.

The government further addressed media-reported concerns about the Act’s implementation and reported early work output numbers through a written reply in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Rural Development, <strong>Shri Kamlesh Paswan</strong>. The reported figures are as on <strong>22.07.2026</strong>.

Background and earlier position: reported concerns around replacing NREGA-style guarantees

Media-reported expressions of views and concerns mentioned in the announcement include concerns about: (i) replacement of the <strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (NREGA)</strong>, (ii) continuation of the programme’s demand-driven nature, and (iii) a possible adverse effect on employment opportunities for rural workers if implementation follows a phase-wise strategy.

What changed now: VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 preserves demand-driven guarantee and expands livelihood-asset focus

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