In a major reform aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 came into force across the country on Wednesday, increasing the statutory rural wage employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days and raising the national average daily wage by more than 10 per cent.
With the implementation of the Act, every eligible rural household is now entitled to 125 days of guaranteed wage employment, while the legislation seeks to make rural employment more effective, transparent and outcome-oriented through the creation of durable community assets, conservation of natural resources, improved agricultural productivity, livelihood promotion and women-led development.
The Government of India has also notified revised wage rates under the Act for all States, Union Territories and notified wage areas. Under the new rates, no notified daily wage anywhere in the country will be below Rs 300. The national average daily wage has increased from Rs 298.8 to Rs 327.4, representing an average enhancement of more than 10 per cent.
According to the government, states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have recorded wage increases ranging from 15 to 25 per cent.
To facilitate smooth implementation, the Centre has already released an interim allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore to States and Union Territories to ensure uninterrupted employment generation, timely wage payments and the execution of development works.
Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the implementation of the Act as a “historic and unprecedented day” for rural India.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the VB-G RAM G Act is not merely a new law but a transformative initiative that ushers in a new era of dignity, self-respect and livelihood security for millions of rural workers.
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Chouhan reiterated that eligible rural households now have a statutory right to 125 days of wage employment, compared to the earlier guarantee of 100 days.
He said the government’s highest priority is to ensure that no eligible rural worker is deprived of employment even for a single day, adding that the Centre and the States have completed all administrative, financial and technical preparations for the smooth rollout of the Act.
Expressing confidence in the initiative, the Minister said it would generate new livelihood opportunities in villages, accelerate the creation of durable assets, strengthen women’s empowerment and provide fresh momentum to the vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Rural India. He also called upon citizens to become partners in building prosperous, empowered and self-reliant villages.
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 programme will be attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Konidela Pawan Kalyan, Union Ministers of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Kamlesh Paswan, along with other dignitaries.
The event will feature the formal launch of the VB-G RAM G Mission, 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 effective implementation of the Act.
