If anyone in your household works under MGNREGA, this news is crucial for you. The Central Government is set to implement a major change in the rural employment system starting July 1, 2026. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) will be replaced by the 'Viksit Bharat-GRAM G Act, 2025'. The government states that the objective of this new system is to boost rural employment, ensure transparency in operations, and curb corruption through the use of technology. Consequently, rural residents need to understand the changes introduced by this new law and the benefits they stand to gain. Let us take a look at the details:

**Employment for 125 days instead of 100**
Currently, rural households are guaranteed 100 days of employment annually under MGNREGA. However, from July 1, 2026, this limit will be raised to 125 days. This means needy families will be able to secure 25 days of additional work compared to the previous arrangement.

**Who can avail the benefits of the scheme?**
Any rural household with adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual labor can benefit from this scheme. Those who do not currently possess an MGNREGA job card can apply at the Gram Panchayat to obtain a new Rural Employment Guarantee Card.

**How ​​to apply for work?**
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), employment applications can be submitted to the Gram Panchayat. Applications may be made verbally, in writing, or through digital channels. The use of 'Form-6', as used previously, will also remain an option. Once the application is received, the government is required to provide work within 15 days.

**Allowance if work is not provided within 15 days**
If employment is not provided within 15 days of the application, the concerned individual will be entitled to an unemployment allowance.

*   For the initial period (up to 30 days), an allowance equivalent to at least one-fourth of the wage rate will be provided.
*   For the subsequent period, an allowance equivalent to at least half of the wage rate will be provided.
*   This allowance will be paid by the state government. Meanwhile, for MGNREGA workers who have already completed their e-KYC, existing job cards will remain valid until the new cards are issued. This ensures that work will not be interrupted even after the new system is implemented.

**Monitoring work through technology**
The new system will place greater emphasis on the use of technology. Key features include:

Attendance via face authentication
Work monitoring through mobile phones
Planning based on location data
Information availability on a real-time dashboard
Data analysis using AI
A digital platform to facilitate public participation.
However, alternative arrangements will be in place for areas facing network issues or technical difficulties.

**How ​​will wages be paid?**
Wages will be transferred directly to the workers' bank or post office accounts via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). The aim is to make payments weekly, with a strict limit ensuring no delay exceeds 15 days. If wage payments are delayed, workers will receive compensation for the delay.

**What facilities will be available at the worksite?**
According to the government, providing certain essential facilities at every worksite will be mandatory, such as:

Clean drinking water
Rest areas
Shaded areas for children
First-aid kits.
**Extra payment for work beyond a 5-kilometer radius**
Efforts will be made to provide work within a 5-kilometer radius of the village. If work is assigned beyond this distance, workers will receive an additional payment amounting to 10 percent of their wages to cover commuting and accommodation expenses.

**What kind of work will be undertaken?**
Priority under this scheme will be given to tasks that foster village development, such as:

Water conservation and water-related projects
Construction of rural roads and basic infrastructure
Activities that enhance livelihoods
Measures for protection against floods, droughts, and adverse weather conditions.
In this context, the 'Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act,' set to come into effect on July 1, 2026, is considered a major transformative step for rural India. This initiative increases the number of days of employment, incorporates technology, and seeks to safeguard workers' rights. Therefore, villagers should familiarize themselves with this new system now so that they can fully benefit from it when the need arises.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.