The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, commonly referred to as VB-G RAM G, was passed by Parliament and received Presidential assent on December 21, 2025. It represents the most significant overhaul of India’s rural employment policy in two decades, officially replacing the MGNREGA Act, 2005.
1. Key Institutional Shifts
- From Demand to Supply-Driven: MGNREGA was an open-ended, demand-driven “Rights” framework. VB-G RAM G transitions to a budget-capped, supply-driven mission aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
- Increased Work Days: The statutory guarantee has been increased from 100 days to 125 days of wage employment per financial year per rural household.
- Targeted Coverage: Unlike the universal coverage of MGNREGA, VB-G RAM G will be implemented in notified rural areas as determined by the Central Government.
2. Financial & Funding Restructuring
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): It is no longer a purely central-liability scheme for wages.
- Cost-Sharing Ratio:
- General States: 60:40 (Centre:State) for all costs (wages + materials).
- NE & Himalayan States/UTs: 90:10.
- UTs without Legislature: 100% Central funding.
- Normative Allocation: The Centre will now set annual state-wise funding limits based on objective parameters, replacing the previous “Labour Budget” system.
3. New Operational Features
- Agricultural Pause: State governments must notify up to 60 days annually during peak sowing/harvesting seasons where public works will be suspended to prevent labor shortages in farming.
- Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack: A unified digital database where every asset created (roads, ponds, etc.) is geo-tagged and integrated with PM Gati-Shakti.
- Four Priority Verticals:
- Water Security: Harvesting, irrigation, and groundwater recharge.
- Core Rural Infrastructure: Roads and storage facilities.
- Livelihood Infrastructure: Markets and agricultural production assets.
- Climate Mitigation: Disaster-resilient assets and flood control.
4. Technology & Accountability
- National Infrastructure Stack: A centralized digital layer for real-time monitoring.
- Enhanced Audit: Administrative expenditure capped at 9% (up from 6%) to improve field-level monitoring.
- Transparency: Mandatory biometric authentication, GPS-enabled tracking, and AI-based fraud detection to prevent “ghost” beneficiaries.
With reference to the VB-G RAM G Bill 2025, consider the following statements:
1. It replaces the demand-driven funding model of MGNREGA with a budget-capped normative allocation.
2. It mandates an agricultural pause of up to 60 days to ensure farm labor availability.
3. The Centre-State cost-sharing ratio for general category states is 90:10.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a)
• Statement 1 Correct: Unlike MGNREGA, which was an open-ended "Rights-based" law where the Centre had to provide funds whenever demand arose, VB-G RAM G introduces Normative Allocations.
• Statement 2 Correct: The Bill empowers State Governments to notify a period of up to 60 days in a financial year where public works under the scheme will be suspended.
• Statement 3 Incorrect: Under the new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) model, the cost-sharing for general category states is 60% (Centre) and 40% (State) for both wages and materials.
