National
VB–G RAM G replaces MGNREGA with a 125-day guarantee
The VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 (assent 21 December 2025) replaces MGNREGA and guarantees 125 days of rural work a year, up from 100.
Parliament passed, and on 21 December 2025 the President assented to, the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, known as VB–G RAM G. It replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
The Act guarantees at least 125 days of wage employment a year to every rural household whose adults volunteer for unskilled manual work, up from 100. States may notify a pause of up to sixty days in a year so that farm labour is available at sowing and harvest; the 125 days are still owed over the rest of the year. Wages are to be paid weekly, or within fifteen days of the work, and planning power lies with gram sabhas and panchayats.
Test yourself
Question 1
Which Act does the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 replace?
- AThe National Food Security Act, 2013
- BThe Code on Wages, 2019
- CThe Minimum Wages Act, 1948
- DThe Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
VB–G RAM G replaces MGNREGA, the rural employment guarantee law of 2005.
The Minimum Wages Act was subsumed into the Code on Wages, a different reform.
- Concept
- What VB–G RAM G replaces
- Typical time
- 40 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in
Question 2
How many days of wage employment a year does the VB–G RAM G Act guarantee to a rural household?
- A60
- B100
- C125
- D150
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The guarantee is not less than 125 days a year, up from MGNREGA's 100.
60 is the maximum pause, in days, a state may notify for peak farm seasons.
- Concept
- VB–G RAM G employment guarantee
- Typical time
- 40 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in
Question 3
Why may a state notify a 'pause period' of up to sixty days under the VB–G RAM G Act?
- ATo reduce the guarantee to 65 days in drought years
- BTo keep farm labour available at sowing and harvest
- CTo audit the works done in the year
- DTo hold panchayat elections
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The pause lets states keep agricultural labour free during peak sowing and harvesting seasons.
The full 125 days are still owed, in the rest of the year — the pause shifts work, it does not cut it.
- Concept
- Pause period under VB–G RAM G
- Typical time
- 50 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in
Question 4
Under the VB–G RAM G Act, within how long must wages be paid?
- AWithin thirty days of the work
- BMonthly, on the first working day
- CWeekly, or in any case within fifteen days of the work
- DAt the end of each financial year
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Section 5(3) requires weekly payment, or payment within fifteen days of completing the work.
Payment later than that attracts delay compensation.
- Concept
- Wage payment under VB–G RAM G
- Typical time
- 65 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in