If someone in your household works under MNREGA, this news is very important for you. The central government is going to make major changes to the rural employment system from July 1st, 2026. The Viksit Bharat-GRAMG Act, 2025, will now replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). The government says that the purpose of this new system is to increase employment in villages, bring transparency in work, and reduce corruption through technology. Therefore, it is important for people living in villages to know the changes made in this new law and what benefits they will receive from it.
Now, employment will be available for 125 days, not 100.
Until now, under MNREGA, rural families are guaranteed 100 days of employment per year. However, from July 1st, 2026, this limit will be increased to 125 days. This means that needy families will be able to access 25 more days of work than before.
Any family living in a village whose adult members wish to do unskilled labor will be able to benefit from this scheme. Those who do not currently have a MNREGA job card can apply to the Gram Panchayat and obtain a new Rural Employment Guarantee Card.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), applications for employment can be made at the Gram Panchayat. Applications can be submitted verbally, in writing, or digitally. Form 6 can also be used as before. After receiving the application, the government must provide work within 15 days.
If employment is not found within 15 days of the application, the person will receive unemployment allowance.
For the first 30 days, at least one-quarter of the wage rate will be provided as an allowance.
After this, at least half of the wage will be provided for the remaining period.
The state government will pay this allowance. Meanwhile, the existing job cards of MNREGA workers whose e-KYC has been completed will remain valid until they receive new cards. This means that work will not stop even after the new system is implemented.
The new system will increase the use of technology. This includes:
Attendance will be taken through face authentication
Work will be monitored via mobile
Plans will be developed based on location
Information will be available on a real-time dashboard
Data will be analyzed using AI
A digital platform will also be available for public participation.
However, in cases where network issues or technical problems arise, alternative arrangements will be in place.
Wages will be sent directly to workers’ bank accounts or post office accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Efforts will be made to ensure weekly payments, with no delays exceeding 15 days. If wages are not paid on time, workers will receive compensation for the delay.
According to the government, it will be mandatory to provide certain essential facilities at every workplace, such as:
Clean drinking water
Arrangements for resting
Shade for children
First aid boxes.
Extra pay will be provided if work is found within 5 kilometers of the village. Furthermore, efforts will be made to provide work within a 5-kilometer radius of the village. If work is found further away, workers will be paid an additional 10 percent of their wages to cover travel and accommodation expenses.
Under this scheme, priority will be given to works that contribute to rural development, such as:
Water conservation and water-related works
Construction of rural roads and infrastructure
Work that enhances people’s livelihoods
Work related to flood, drought, and extreme weather protection.
In this context, the Vikas Bharat-GRAMG Act, which will come into effect on July 1, 2026, is considered a major change for rural India. It increases the number of days of employment, integrates technology, and protects workers’ rights. Therefore, rural residents should be aware of this new system from now on so they can fully benefit from it when needed.
Wages will be sent directly to workers’ bank or post office accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Efforts will be made to ensure weekly payments, with no delays exceeding 15 days. Workers will receive compensation for the delay if wages are not paid on time.
In this context, the Vikas Bharat-G RAM G Act, which will come into effect on July 1, 2026, is considered a major change for rural India. It increases the number of days of employment, integrates technology, and protects workers’ rights. Therefore, rural residents should be aware of this new system from now on so they can fully benefit from it when needed.