VB-G RAM G Act Comes into Force from July 1, 2026 : GS TIMES IAS-PCS

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 came into force across rural India with effect from 1 July 2026.

The Act is a rural employment and livelihood legislation aimed at aligning rural development with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The national launch of the Act is scheduled for 2 July 2026 at Mukkavaripalli Village.

Key Provisions

The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment in every financial year to each eligible rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work.
Employment must be provided within 15 days of submitting an application.
If employment is not provided within the stipulated period, the State Government is liable to pay an unemployment allowance.

Wage Provisions

The Government has notified revised wage rates under the Act with effect from 1 July 2026.
A major reform is the introduction of a minimum interim base wage of ₹300 per day, ensuring that no notified wage under the programme is below this amount.
Wages must be paid:
- Weekly, or
- Within 15 days (a fortnight) after the closure of the muster roll.
Wages are transferred directly to workers’ bank or post office accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
If wages are delayed beyond 15 days, workers are entitled to delay compensation at the rate of 0.05% of the unpaid wages per day of delay.

Employment Location

As far as possible, employment should be provided within a radius of 5 kilometres of the applicant’s village.
If work is allotted beyond 5 km (but within the same Block), workers are entitled to an additional 10% of the wage rate towards transport and living expenses.

Implementation

State Governments are required to notify schemes consistent with the provisions of the Act within the prescribed period after its commencement.
The District Collector (or an equivalent officer designated by the State Government) will function as the District Programme Coordinator (DPC).

Fund Sharing Pattern