VB-G RAM G Act 2026 Explained: State-Wise Wage Rates, 125 Days Employment, Key Changes & Benefits

On 1st of July, 2026 nationwide rollout of new Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM  G), and the new legislation has replaced Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), it aims to strengthen the rural livelihood security and aligning wuth the rural development with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Here is everything to know about the new Act, state wise wages, employment guarantee and major changes.

What Is the VB-G RAM G Act?

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 is the Government of India’s new rural employment law which is designed to provide guaranteed wage employment to the rural households.

This Act ensures that every eligible rural household whose adult members volunteer to perform the unskilled manual work and receives 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.

Apart from creating employment opportunities, this scheme focuses on building durable rural assets and strengthen the climate-resilient infrastructure.

How Many Workdays Are Guaranteed Under the VB-G RAM G Act?

One of the major changes introduced under the new law is the increase in guaranteed employment.

Under the VB-G RAM G Act, every eligible rural households are set to receieve125 days of wage employment annually, and it is compared to 100 days under the previous MGNREGA framework.

The additional 25 days of guaranteed work are also expected to provide greater income security for rural families and create more employment opportunities across villages.

Key Objectives of the VB-G RAM G Act

This Act seeks to improve rural livelihoods and supporting sustainable development via productive public works.

Its primary objectives includes the,

• Providing guaranteed wage employment to the rural households.
• Strengthening livelihood security.
• Developing the climate-resilient rural infrastructure.
• Improving water conservation and water security.
• Promoting infrastructure related to agriculture and rural livelihoods.
• Supporting works that help mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and climate change.
• Aligning with the rural development with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Major Changes Introduced Under the New Act

The VB-G RAM G Act introduces the several structural reforms as compared to MGNREGA.

1. Employment Increased to 125 Days

The guaranteed employment period has been increased from 100 days to 125 days per financial year.

2. Higher Wage Rates

The government has revised the wage rates across all states and Union Territories.

The main feature of this new wage structure is that no worker will receive less than ₹300 per day anywhere in the country.

The national average daily wage has been also increased from approximately ₹298.80 under the previous system to around ₹327.40 currently.

3. Weekly Wage Payments

Unlike the earlier payment cycles, wages under the new Act are also scheduled to be released every week and it enables quicker financial support for workers.

4. Focus on Climate-Resilient Development

The Act gives priority to projects involving the,

• Water conservation
• Rural infrastructure
• Livelihood-related assets
• Climate adaptation
• Extreme weather mitigation

5. Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans

Every Gram Panchayat will prepare the development plans under the new framework to ensure that smooth employment projects address local development priorities.

6. National Rural Infrastructure Stack

This Act establishes a unified planning mechanism called the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, which integrates with the rural projects with the PM Gati Shakti initiative for the better coordination among government departments.

7. Provision to Pause Work During Peak Agricultural Seasons

To avoid the labour shortages during farming activities, state governments can temporarily suspend employment works during sowing and harvesting seasons.

States must have to notify these periods approximately 60 days in advance, based on local cropping patterns and agro-climatic conditions.

State-Wise Daily Wage Rates Under New VB-G RAM G Act

The revised minimum daily wage rates notified under the Act are,

Among all of the states and Union Territories, Sikkim has the highest notified daily wage at around ₹450, followed by Haryana (₹409), Goa (₹406), and Kerala (₹401).

New Centre-State Funding Pattern

The Act also introduces a revised financial sharing mechanism between the Centre and the States.

The funding pattern is as follows the,

• 90:10 (Centre : State) for North-Eastern States, Himalayan States, and eligible Union Territories.
• 60:40 (Centre : State) for all other States and Union Territories with a legislature.
• 100% Central funding for Union Territories without a legislature.

State governments are also required to prepare the implementation schemes within six months after the Act coming into force.