UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Despite assurance from Centre, MGNREGS workers denied work

Q1. The statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per rural household in a financial year, effective across rural India from 1 July 2026, derives its legal basis from which one of the following?

  • A. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
  • B. The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025
  • C. The National Food Security Act, 2013
  • D. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014

Q2. In the context of the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, what does the term 'normative allocation' precisely refer to?

  • A. A state-wise annual fund ceiling fixed by the Central Government using parameters recommended by the 16th Finance Commission, beyond which the State bears the excess expenditure
  • B. The minimum number of wage-days each Gram Panchayat must compulsorily generate before central funds are released
  • C. A demand-driven release of central funds calculated solely on the basis of muster rolls of work actually demanded by rural households
  • D. A fixed 50:50 sharing of wage costs between the Centre and States irrespective of the State's fiscal capacity

Q3. Under the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, works are to be concentrated in a defined set of thematic domains. Consider the following: 1. Water security 2. Mitigation of extreme weather events 3. Urban livelihood infrastructure 4. Rural infrastructure Which of the above are correctly identified as thematic domains under the Act?

  1. Water security
  2. Mitigation of extreme weather events
  3. Urban livelihood infrastructure
  4. Rural infrastructure
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Which one of the following is the primary implementing (nodal) ministry for the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025?

  • A. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • B. Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • C. Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Q5. With reference to how the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 differs from the MGNREGA, 2005 it replaces, consider the following statements: 1. The new Act raises the guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days per rural household per financial year. 2. Unlike MGNREGA's demand-driven funding, the new Act introduces a Centre-determined normative annual allocation, with the State bearing any expenditure in excess of it. 3. Both Acts are administered by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The new Act raises the guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days per rural household per financial year.
  2. Unlike MGNREGA's demand-driven funding, the new Act introduces a Centre-determined normative annual allocation, with the State bearing any expenditure in excess of it.
  3. Both Acts are administered by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3