India's Rural Employment Scheme Revamp: MGNREGA to Become Viksit Bharat Guarantee with Extended Benefits

Dec 15, 2025 09:13 pm CST

The Indian government has introduced legislation to replace the long-standing MGNREGA rural employment scheme with the new Viksit Bharat Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Grameen). The proposed changes include extending guaranteed work days from 100 to 125, implementing faster payment systems, and restructuring funding arrangements between the Centre and states, while facing criticism from opposition parties over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the program.