New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday brought the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 into force across the country, giving eligible rural households a statutory right to 125 days of guaranteed wage employment.
The new law replaces the earlier 100-day guarantee and aims to strengthen rural livelihoods while improving transparency, accountability and the quality of employment generation.
It also focuses on creating durable rural assets, conserving natural resources, boosting agricultural productivity, promoting livelihoods, and supporting women-led development, according to an official statement.
Along with the rollout of the Act, the government notified revised wage rates for all states, Union Territories, and notified wage areas. Under the new rates, no daily wage will be below Rs 300 anywhere in the country.
The national average notified wage has increased from Rs 298.8 per day to Rs 327.4 per day, marking an average hike of more than 10%. States including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh have recorded wage increases ranging between 15 and 25%.
To support the implementation of the Act, the Centre has released an interim allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore to states and Union Territories. The funds will be used to ensure uninterrupted employment generation, timely wage payments, and the execution of development works.
Union Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the rollout as a historic moment for rural India. He said the Act was a transformative step under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would provide dignity, livelihood security and greater employment opportunities to millions of rural workers.
Chouhan said eligible rural families would now receive a statutory guarantee of 125 days of employment instead of 100 days. He added that the Centre and states had completed all administrative, financial, and technical preparations for the smooth implementation of the new law.
He said the Act would help generate new livelihood opportunities, create durable rural infrastructure, strengthen women’s empowerment, and accelerate the vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Rural India.
The national launch programme of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, will be held on July 2 at Mukkavaripalle village in Obulavaripalle Mandal of Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh.
The event will be attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Konidela Pawan Kalyan, Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan and other dignitaries.
The programme will include the formal launch of the scheme, distribution of Rural Employment Guarantee Cards to beneficiaries, launch of the VB-G RAM G software platform, release of key publications, interaction with beneficiaries and the inauguration of several initiatives to support the implementation of the Act.
