Viksit Bharat Guarantee Act: Transforming Rural Employment in India

The new Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, will replace MGNREGA in India, promising 125 days of guaranteed rural employment annually and focusing on infrastructure and climate resilience. Opposition and activists raise concerns over digitization, administrative changes, and reduced immediate wage focus.

The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), 2025, is set to revolutionize rural employment in India, coming into effect on July 1. It promises 125 days of guaranteed work annually, replacing MGNREGA, and aims to integrate climate resilience and infrastructure development.

While the government promotes the initiative as a 'next-generation' framework, critics warn that digitization and planning focus may hinder vulnerable groups, including those in remote areas. Concerns also loom over the shift from immediate wage guarantees to long-term development goals.

The transition involves moving ongoing MGNREGA projects into the new scheme, with new features like face-authentication attendance and varied funding patterns. The act emphasizes village-level planning through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, potentially transforming rural development planning in India.