Rural Jobs
Early trends show women make two-third of revamped rural job scheme workforce
India's revamped rural jobs scheme is seeing stronger participation from women, with nearly two-thirds of the work generated so far going to them. Early trends show wider livelihood opportunities beyond manual labour and inclusive measures are giving a fillip to women in the workforce.
5 min read27 Jul 2026Centre releases ₹25,863 crore as new rural jobs scheme VB-G-RAM-G rolls out nationwide
The Centre says the transition from MGNREGA to VB-G-RAM-G has been seamless, with higher wages, longer employment guarantees and ₹25,863 crore released to states for implementation.
2 min read5 Jul 2026VB-G RAM G: India should aim to universalize its job guarantee scheme instead of limiting it
What began as MGNREGA has morphed into the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission. The new scheme seems to dilute the core promise of this fallback option for job seekers. But its value as a safety net endures and it’s time to consider urban coverage.
2 min read1 Jul 2026Centre raises rural job guarantee wages under VB–G RAM G Act; floor rate set at ₹300 from 1 July
The new VB-G RAM G Act raises the national average rural wage by over 10%, introduces a ₹300 daily wage floor and expands guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days.
3 min read1 Jul 2026VB-G RAM G Act to come into force on July 1: Check revised state-wise rates under rural employment guarantee scheme
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission will start on July 1, 2025, offering 125 days of guaranteed employment at revised wages up to ₹327.4 per day, compared to ₹298.8 under MGNREGA, with significant increases across states.
2 min read1 Jul 2026India’s unemployment rate hits 11-month high as rural joblessness rises in May
Higher unemployment in rural India pushed the overall jobless rate to 5.5% in May, while labour-force participation and employment ratios also weakened.
2 min read15 Jun 2026Mint explainer: what changes under the new VB–G RAM G rules, and how will rural jobs work now?
The Centre has released draft rules for the new VB–G RAM G Act ahead of its July rollout. Here’s how the transition from MGNREGA, wage payments and grievance systems may work.
3 min read26 May 2026The mounting stress in the unorganized sector, explained in 5 charts
The set of 79 million individuals and entities that make up India’s unorganized sector is seeing productivity and real wages stagnate in real terms, amid declining economic influence.
4 min read19 May 2026New rural employment guarantee scheme to replace MNREGA from 1 July, govt says
The new VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 increases the annual work guarantee to 125 days and accompanies a massive ₹1.51 trillion budget to modernize rural infrastructure and secure livelihoods nationwide.
2 min read11 May 2026Rural development needs a boost: India must step up efforts to take prosperity far and wide
With workers migrating back to their villages once again, it's time to take stock of India’s rural development efforts. The Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme announced in the previous budget speech holds promise—but it needs to be designed well.
4 min read15 Apr 2026Wait for it…
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