The VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 seeks to replace MGNREGA by increasing guaranteed workdays to 125, changing funding, and centralising rural job allocation
The NDA government is preparing to overhaul India’s rural employment framework with the proposed Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which seeks to repeal and replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
The bill was circulated among Lok Sabha members around December 15, 2025, and is expected to be introduced during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, scheduled to conclude on December 19, 2025. If passed, it would mark the most significant change to India’s rural employment guarantee system in two decades.
What is the VB-G RAM G bill?
The VB-G RAM G Bill is positioned as part of the government’s long-term “Viksit Bharat @2047” vision. According to official documents, the proposed law aims to align rural wage employment with broader goals such as infrastructure creation, climate resilience, water security, and sustainable livelihoods, moving beyond the rights-based framework of MGNREGA.
Under the proposed legislation, rural households would be entitled to 125 days of wage employment per financial year, an increase from the 100-day guarantee under MGNREGA.
Key provisions of the proposed law
The bill introduces several structural changes to the existing rural employment programme. It promises weekly wage payments, replacing the current 15-day payment window, while retaining some provisions of MGNREGA, including wage rates notified under Section 6 and compensation for delayed payments.
Employment under the new scheme would focus on unskilled manual work contributing to a proposed “Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack”, prioritising projects related to water conservation, rural infrastructure, livelihoods, and mitigation of extreme weather impacts.
Major changes introduced
The proposed law marks a clear departure from several foundational aspects of MGNREGA, particularly in funding, allocation, and governance.
| Aspect | MGNREGA (Current) | VB-G RAM G Bill (Proposed) |
| Guaranteed Days of Work | 100 days per financial year | 125 days per financial year |
| Funding Model | Centre bears full unskilled wage cost and up to 75% of material costs | Cost-sharing with states, increasing states’ financial responsibility |
| Allocation Mechanism | Demand-driven, based on workers’ applications | Normative, state-wise allocation determined by the Centre |
| Agricultural Season | No mandatory pause in employment | 60-day pause during peak sowing and harvesting seasons |
| Focus of Works | Broad range of rural works | Thematic focus on water security, infrastructure, and climate resilience |
| Governance Structure | Decentralised and rights-based | More centralised, overseen by a Central Council |
What government says
The government has cited what it describes as “significant socio-economic transformation” in rural India over the past two decades, including improved road connectivity, housing coverage, electrification, and digital infrastructure.
Officials argue that the VB-G RAM G Bill modernises rural employment by shifting focus from short-term relief to creation of durable public assets, while increasing guaranteed workdays and ensuring faster wage payments.
Criticism
Critics argue that the shift away from a demand-driven system could restrict employment in high-distress regions, while the mandatory 60-day pause effectively shortens the working window despite the higher annual guarantee. Concerns have also been raised about increased centralisation and the higher financial burden on states.
Impact on rural workers
For millions of unskilled rural workers, the proposed law presents a mixed picture. While higher guaranteed days and faster payments could increase incomes if fully implemented, fixed allocations, seasonal pauses, and cost-sharing may reduce actual access to work in poorer or high-demand areas
As of today, the VB-G RAM G Bill remains at the proposal stage. Its introduction in Parliament is expected to trigger extensive debate, with opposition parties and stakeholders likely to seek amendments.
The eventual impact of the legislation will depend on parliamentary scrutiny, funding commitments, and how far worker protections are retained during implementation.
