A New Framework for Rural Employment and Development
Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) marks a significant reform in rural development. The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026 and has been rolled out successfully across all rural areas of the country. The transition from Mahatma Gandhi NREGA to VB-G RAM G has been seamless and disruption-free. Digital systems supporting implementation were operational from the commencement of the new framework.
The Act provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment every financial year. The guarantee covers every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. It promotes empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation for a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat. It focuses on four thematic areas: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events.
The Act institutionalises a Whole-of-Government approach through convergence-driven and saturation-oriented planning. At its core is the preparation of Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs). These provide an integrated framework for addressing the diverse developmental needs of Gram Panchayats.
Bottom-up Planning Envisaged through VGPPs
Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) are a key institutional reform under VB-G RAM G. They enable participatory, evidence-based, saturation-oriented, and convergence-driven planning at the grassroots level.
VGPPs put local needs at the centre of rural development planning. They are prepared with the active participation of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha provides due recommendation and approval of the plans. VGPPs enable villages to identify their actual development needs, existing assets and development gaps and prioritise works accordingly.
How the VGPP Process Works
Participatory planning: Gram Panchayats identify and prioritise works based on local needs, with the involvement of the Gram Sabha.
Asset mapping: The process begins with a comprehensive inventory of existing assets, infrastructure and service delivery gaps within the Gram Panchayat.
Coverage of existing assets: The inventory includes assets created under various Central and State Government schemes and programmes.
GIS-based planning: The planning process uses GIS, Yuktdhara, PM Gati Shakti, and other digital tools. Geospatial and non-spatial information supports evidence-based and integrated planning based on local needs and existing assets.
Gap assessment: Information from these platforms supports spatial planning, better asset mapping, and avoidance of duplication. It also helps identify infrastructure deficits, development priorities, and potential interventions.
Convergence across government: VGPPs promote a Whole-of-Government approach by bringing together resources and interventions from different schemes, departments and stakeholders for integrated village development.
Multi-level consolidation: VGPPs are consolidated at the Block, District, State and National levels. The consolidated plans contribute to the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack.
Permissible works: The VGPP Framework identifies 318 types of permissible works across the four thematic areas.
The VGPP process is intended to support integrated village development through employment-linked asset creation, improved infrastructure and convergence of public interventions.
VB G-RAM G: Progress on the Ground
As of 24 September 2026, VB-G RAM G has recorded significant progress since its implementation on 1 July 2026.
Active workers: 10.88 crore in 2026-27
Assets created: 2.83 lakh
Person-days generated: More than 31.69 crore
Women’s participation: 61.65 percent in 2026-27
Employment provided to workers on demand: Over 2.81 crore belonging to about 2.23 crore rural households
Works under Execution: 97.17 lakh
Approved works readily available to meet future employment demand: 73.24 lakh
Active worksites operational: Around 20.16 lakh
Number of Gram Panchayats executing works presently across the country: Nearly 2.31 lakh
DBT transactions: 3.76 crore in 2026-27
Wage rate: Ranges from Rs.300 to Rs.450 per day
Total number of Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards issued: 15.17 crore
Financial Progress
A total of Rs.93,841 crore has been allocated to States/UTs as interim allocation for FY 2026-27
Out of this, a Mother Sanction of Rs.25,880 crore has been issued as the first instalment to the States/UTs
Technology Enabled Transparency and Governance
Technology is central to VB-G RAM G implementation. Digital systems support worker verification, monitoring, payments, and transparency. They also link employment with sustainable asset creation and rural development.
Digital verification: e-KYC and worker attendance are captured through Face Authentication and biometric authentication. It significantly enhances transparency, accountability, and authenticity.
Digital work monitoring: Geo-tagging, digital measurement, electronic Measurement Books (e-MB) and mobile-based monitoring support monitoring across different stages of implementation.
Digital payments: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) supports payments under the framework.
Technology-enabled oversight: Spatial technology-enabled planning, real-time dashboards, and AI-enabled analytics support monitoring, reporting, and corrective action.
Digital platforms and capacity building: Dedicated digital platforms, citizen engagement platforms and large-scale capacity building initiatives further support implementation.
Building Rural Development from the Ground Up
VB-G RAM G brings employment, participatory planning and rural development together. Through VGPPs, Gram Panchayats identify local needs, map existing assets and prioritise development works. Technology, convergence and digital systems strengthen implementation, transparency and accountability. The framework links employment with sustainable asset creation, supporting resilient livelihoods and integrated rural development.
