Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

✦Key Features

• STATUS: Being phased into G-RAM-G (successor) from April 1, 2026
• MGNREGA continues with ₹30,000 crore in FY2026-27 during transition period
• G-RAM-G (successor): 125 days guarantee (vs 100), ₹95,692 crore, integrates livelihood
• Legal guarantee of 100 days employment per household per year (till transition complete)
• Demand-driven: work provided within 15 days of application
• Wage rates: ₹267-357/day (state-wise, FY2024-25); at least 1/3rd beneficiaries must be women
• Social audit mandatory under Section 17 of MGNREGA; 10.58 crore active workers (2025)

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Rural households whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work
• Adult members (18+ years) can apply for registration
• Job card to be issued to households within 15 days
• Work to be provided within 5 km radius of village

★Benefits

• Guaranteed employment for at least 100 days
• Unemployment allowance if work not provided within 15 days
• Creation of durable community assets
• Drought-proofing and flood management works
• Enhanced livelihood security for rural households

▶Application Process

• Submit application for Job Card to Gram Panchayat
• Get Job Card issued within 15 days
• Apply for work when needed
• Get work within 15 days or unemployment allowance
• Participate in works as per allocation

₹ Budget Allocation

86000

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central (Unskilled Wages), 75% Central (Material and Skilled Wages)

Historical Context

Enacted in 2005 to address rural distress. It was the first act globally to provide a legal guarantee for work.