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Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Act)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

As the new flagship rural employment guarantee scheme, UPSC will assess its design, implementation strategy, effectiveness in achieving its objectives, and comparison with its predecessor. The initial challenges highlighted in the article are crucial for understanding policy transitions and governance issues.

The VB-G RAM G Act is a new legislative framework introduced in 2026, intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). It aims to continue and potentially enhance rural employment generation and livelihood security, aligning with the broader 'Viksit Bharat' vision.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Successor to

Replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2026.

Budget Allocation

₹95,692 crore in 2026-27 Union Budget, with a projected total budget of ₹1.5 lakh crore including State contributions.

Wage Norm

Minimum norm of ₹300 per day (similar to MGNREGA in real terms).

Initial Challenges

Faced significant decline in employment generation (43% in April-July 2026) due to transition issues, lack of preparedness, and delayed rule framing.

Reference table

Comparison: MGNREGA vs. VB-G RAM G (as per article)

FeatureMGNREGAVB-G RAM G
StatusPredecessor ActSuccessor Act (from July 2026)
Employment Generation (July 2025 vs 2026)Higher (e.g., 150 crore person-days)Lower (e.g., 9 crore person-days, 40%+ decline)
Wage Norm (real terms)₹100 (2009-10 prices)₹300 (current, similar real value)
Budget (2025-26 vs 2026-27)₹95,692 crore (actual 2025-26)₹95,692 crore (Union Budget 2026-27), projected total ₹1.5 lakh crore

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaSocial Justice & Development
Conceptual areaWelfare Schemes & Social Policies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Rural DevelopmentImplements
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Successor to MGNREGA, effective July 2026.
  • Aims to enhance rural employment and livelihoods.
  • Significant budget allocation, higher than MGNREGA.
  • Initial period marked by sharp decline in employment.
  • Implementation challenges due to transition issues.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — Distinguish between the Act (VB-G RAM G Act) and the broader mission/vision (Viksit Bharat).

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ? 1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an ...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2025Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission: I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indige...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employmen...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements: 1. The families coming under the category...

EconomyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employmen...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements: 1. The families coming under the category...

EconomyOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2014Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Programme/ Project Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. ...

EconomyOpen question

Topic timeline

Social Justice & DevelopmentWelfare Schemes & Social Policies
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Programme/ Project Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. ...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employmen...

Open question

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements: 1. The families coming under the category...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employmen...

Open question

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements: 1. The families coming under the category...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission: I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indige...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ? 1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an ...

Open question

Employment guarantee has slipped into limbo

19 Aug 2026 · VB-G RAM G Act, enacted in 2026, replaces MGNREGA to provide rural employment, with a higher budget and similar real wage norms, but faced significant initial implementation challenges and a sharp decline in employment generation.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Act)

Often confused with

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Act) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Act)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ? 1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an ...

2026·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve...

2022·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Programme/ Project Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. ...

2014·Economy
Solve

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employmen...

2018·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission: I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indige...

2025·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements: 1. The families coming under the category...

2018·Economy
Solve

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

2017·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

2023·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

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