The Indian government has announced the implementation of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) starting July 1, 2025. This new law increases the guaranteed employment period for rural households from 100 days to 125 days annually. The Parliament passed the VB-GRAM G Bill on December 19, 2025, with President Droupadi Murmu's assent shortly thereafter, marking a significant overhaul of rural employment policies in India.

Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that ongoing MGNREGA projects will continue during the transition, ensuring no disruption in employment. States have been allocated over ₹95,000 crore (approximately $11.5 billion USD) from the national budget, contributing to a total outlay exceeding ₹1.51 trillion (around $18 billion USD). The government aims to streamline wage payments through direct benefit transfer (DBT), ensuring they are processed within three days, with a maximum limit of 15 days.

The VB-GRAM G mission will focus on four key areas: enhancing water security, building rural infrastructure such as roads and schools, creating livelihood assets for self-help groups, and developing disaster resilience structures. States are given six months to prepare for the new framework, with provisions in place for those that may not meet the deadline.