MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G: what changed on 1 July 2026
Last checked: 10 November 2026
VB-G RAM G stands for Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). Parliament passed it in December 2025 (Act No. 36 of 2025). It came into force in all rural areas on 1 July 2026, and MGNREGA (the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005) was repealed the same day.
At a glance
| MGNREGA | VB-G RAM G | |
|---|---|---|
| Work guarantee | 100 days per household | 125 days per household |
| Household card | Job card | GRG card (valid 3 years) |
| Wage rate 2026-27 | 2025-26 rates until 30 June 2026 | New rates from 1 July 2026, at least ₹300 in every state |
| Farm season | No such rule | Up to 60 days a year with no works during sowing and harvest |
What changed
125-day guarantee. At least 125 days of work per rural household per financial year (section 5). The Centre or a state may offer more.
New wage rates. The Centre notified 2026-27 rates in the Gazette on 30 June 2026, effective 1 July 2026. Section 10 says the new rate cannot be lower than the prevailing MGNREGA rate. See your state on the wage rates page.
GRG card. The Gramin Rozgar Guarantee card replaces the job card and is valid for three years. E-KYC’d job cards stay valid until the new card is issued. Details: GRG card.
Farm-season pause. Each state notifies in advance up to 60 days a year, in sowing and harvest seasons, when no scheme works run, so that farm labour is available (section 6).
Four kinds of work. Water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and works against extreme weather. Every work must come from the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan approved by the gram sabha.
No contractors, few machines. Contractors cannot be used, labour-displacing machines are avoided as far as practicable, and material spending is capped at 40% at district level (PIB questions 30, 31, 34).
Grievance deadlines. Enquiry in 7 working days, resolution in 15, automatic escalation after that, and an Ombudsperson in every district. See 125-day guarantee and grievances.
What stayed the same
The Ministry (PIB, 11 May 2026) says these continue:
- Ask for work orally, in writing (the same Form 6) or digitally.
- Work within 15 days of applying, or an unemployment allowance.
- Wages straight to a bank or post office account (DBT) within 15 days, with 0.05% a day compensation for delay.
- 10% extra wages for work more than 5 km from the village.
- Drinking water, shade and first aid at the worksite.
Between 1 April and 30 June 2026
No separate MGNREGA wage notification was issued for 2026-27, so the 2025-26 MGNREGA rates continued from 1 April to 30 June 2026, and the new VB-G RAM G rates applied from 1 July. Works ongoing under MGNREGA were carried over into the new scheme and prioritised for completion.