Government notifies Wastelands India-Gram Jyoti Act, to be enforced across the country from July 1

The government on Monday notified the 'Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Employment and Ajeevika Mission (Rural)' or Viksit Bharat-Gram Jyoti Act, which will come into effect in rural areas across the country from July 1.
The Ministry of Rural Development said today that in a bid to give a new direction to rural development and employment, the government has notified the 'Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Employment and Ajeevika Mission (Rural) 2025'. The Act will come into effect in rural areas across the country from July 1. Authorities said that with the implementation of the Viksit Bharat-Gram Jyoti Act, the 'Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005' will be deemed repealed from the same date. This is a historic change in India's rural development framework, which will usher in a new era of integrated, futuristic, and productivity-based rural transformation in line with the national vision of Viksit Bharat-2047.
They further said that under the new system, every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work will be entitled to a legal guarantee of wage-based employment for 125 days every financial year. The enhanced guarantee is aimed at strengthening livelihood security, increasing rural income, and supporting sustainable development at the village level. As per the provisions of the Act, workers will be provided work within a stipulated timeframe in accordance with their demand for employment. In case of non-provision of work, workers will be entitled to receive unemployment allowance. The Act lays special emphasis on time-bound and transparent wage payment. Wage payments will be made directly into the bank or post office accounts of workers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Wage payment will be made on a weekly basis or within 15 days of the muster roll closure. If this is not done, workers will be entitled to receive delayed payment compensation.
The government has ensured extensive financial provisions for the effective implementation of the Viksit Bharat-Gram Jyoti Act 2025. For the financial year 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs 95,692.31 crore, which is the highest-ever allocation for the rural employment program at the budget estimate stage. The total estimate of the program, including the potential share of states, is likely to exceed Rs 1.51 lakh crore. This allocation will give a new impetus to the development of rural infrastructure, large-scale employment generation, and increase in rural income. According to the government, the Viksit Bharat-Gram Jyoti Act 2025 is expected to give a new momentum to rural employment generation, rural development, and self-reliance in villages. By establishing gram panchayats as the central pillar of rural transformation, this Act will prove to be a major milestone in the construction of an empowered, prosperous, and developed rural India.