Shivraj Singh Chouhan assures MGNREGA functionaries of continuity under VB-G RAM G Act
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a video-conference with over 2 lakh MGNREGA functionaries on 30 December 2025, assuring them that the transition to the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 will not affect their services.
Summary
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Rural Development, held a national interaction through video conferencing on 30 December 2025 with more than 2 lakh MGNREGA functionaries from about 45,000 locations on the new Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. Chouhan assured them that no current MGNREGA functionary's service would be affected by the new Act, with State Governments ensuring continuity. The VB-G RAM G Act, which received Presidential assent on 20 December 2025, replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 and guarantees at least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per year (up from 100), lets states notify a pause of up to 60 days in aggregate during peak sowing and harvesting, and is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 60:40 Centre–State funding (90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States).
Key facts
- Interaction
- 30 December 2025; over 2 lakh functionaries, ~45,000 locations
- Assurance
- No current MGNREGA functionary's service affected
- Act
- VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 (Act No. 36 of 2025); assent 20 December 2025
- Replaces
- MGNREGA, 2005
- Guarantee
- At least 125 days per rural household per financial year (was 100)
- Pause
- States may notify up to 60 days in aggregate for peak farm seasons
- Wages
- Weekly, or within 15 days of work
- Funding
- 60:40; 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States; 100% for UTs without legislature
- Planning
- Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans approved by Gram Sabha; linked to PM Gati Shakti
Practice MCQs 4 questions
In his video-conference with MGNREGA functionaries on 30 December 2025 about the VB-G RAM G Act, Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with roughly how many functionaries?
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Correct answer: D — Over 2 lakh
PIB (Rural Development): more than 2 lakh MGNREGA functionaries joined from about 45,000 locations.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 replaces which law?
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Correct answer: B — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
PIB (assent release, 21 December 2025): the Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Consider the following statements about the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025: 1. It guarantees not less than 125 days of wage employment per rural household in each financial year. 2. States may notify a pause period aggregating sixty days in a financial year to free labour for peak sowing and harvesting. 3. Its cost is shared 75:25 between the Centre and all States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (assent release): Section 5(1) guarantees at least 125 days and Section 6 allows a 60-day aggregate pause. Cost-sharing is 60:40, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States and 100% central for UTs without legislatures, so statement 3 is wrong.
Under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, what is the Centre–State cost-sharing ratio for North Eastern and Himalayan States?
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Correct answer: C — 90:10
PIB (assent release): the cost-sharing pattern is 60:40 between Centre and States, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States, and 100% central funding for UTs without legislatures.