Parliament Passes Bill Replacing MGNREGA, Raises Rural Job Guarantee To 125 Days

Parliament has passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha amid opposition protests and was cleared by the Rajya Sabha after a midnight debate.

The new law increases guaranteed rural employment from 100 to 125 days and introduces weekly wage payments, with compensation if wages are delayed beyond 15 days. It allows States to declare a 60-day no-work period during peak agricultural seasons.

The scheme has been converted into a centrally sponsored programme with shared Centre–State funding and will be implemented through newly constituted national and state steering committees.