The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in India is set to release guidelines for the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 within the next few weeks. This new job guarantee scheme aims to provide 125 days of work for unskilled rural workers, replacing the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Officials indicated that the delay in issuing these guidelines has already affected work allotments under MGNREGA, leading to a reduction of approximately 23 million mandays out of 33 million approved for April. States are required to develop their schemes to facilitate the rollout of the new act. The MoRD has emphasized that MGNREGA will remain operational until the new scheme is in place, and states have been advised to prepare for a smooth transition. Additionally, the MoRD has sanctioned ₹1,669 crore for Bihar and released a total of ₹17,744.19 crore for wage components nationwide for the fiscal year 2026-27 to ensure timely wage disbursement.