MGNREGA to be replaced across all states and UTs by new 'Viksit Bharat' G RAM-G Act from July 1

In a major overhaul of India’s rural employment framework, the Centre on Monday announced that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will cease to exist from July 1 and be replaced with a new law titled the Viksit Bharat -- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, commonly referred to as VB-G RAM G.

The Ministry of Rural Development issued two separate notifications confirming that the new legislation will be implemented across all states and Union Territories from July 1 and that the nearly two-decade-old MGNREGA law will officially be repealed.

The government said workers currently employed under MGNREGA would continue to receive work without interruption during the transition phase.

“Ongoing works under MGNREGA as on June 30 shall be saved and carried over to the new framework seamlessly,” the ministry said in the notification.

Officials also clarified that job cards already linked with e-KYC under MGNREGA would remain operational until fresh “gramin rozgar guarantee cards” are distributed under the new scheme.

The Centre stated that workers awaiting e-KYC verification would not lose access to employment opportunities. Fresh registrations for labourers who do not possess job cards will continue through gram panchayats, it added.

According to the ministry, detailed rules governing wage disbursal, grievance handling systems, allocation procedures and other transition-related provisions are currently being finalised after consultations with states and Union Territories. These draft rules will soon be released for public feedback.

Pitching the new law as part of its larger “Viksit Bharat” vision, the government described gram panchayats as the driving force behind rural transformation and said the revamped framework would focus on strengthening village economies, improving rural infrastructure and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.