The Ministry of Rural Development has announced that the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 will come into force across rural India from July 1, 2026. The new framework is meant to strengthen rural employment, livelihood security, and durable village assets, and it raises the statutory wage-employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days for eligible rural households, according to the government release.
The development matters for UPSC because rural employment guarantees sit at the intersection of social justice, decentralised governance, and inclusive growth. The scheme design also raises recurring questions on fiscal sustainability, implementation capacity, timely wage payment, and the quality of assets created through public works.
What changed now
The government has said that the new Act will be operational from the stated date and that implementation will move to a strengthened statutory framework. The release says that existing e-KYC verified job cards will remain valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued, and ongoing works will continue without interruption.
The Centre has also said that an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore has been made to States and Union Territories so that wage payments and implementation can continue smoothly during the transition.
Background and earlier position
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