The VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 marks a paradigm shift from a demand-driven safety net to a saturation-based rural development framework.

Q. The VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 marks a paradigm shift from a demand-driven safety net to a saturation-based rural development framework. (15 marks, 250 words)

MGNREGA, 2005 offered a demand-driven statutory guarantee of 100 days of wage work. The VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 (in force from 1 July 2026), which repeals it, reorients this into a saturation-based, asset-creating rural development architecture — a real but partial shift.

Evidence of the paradigm shift - Planning unit: works flow through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) — bottom-up, convergence-based and saturation-oriented, aligned to Viksit Bharat@2047 [2]. - Outcome focus: works confined to four thematic heads — water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, extreme-weather mitigation — asset-durability over mere wage relief [2]. - Scale: highest-ever central BE of ₹95,692.31 crore, total outlay > ₹1.51 lakh crore, guarantee raised 100→125 days [2][3]. - Delivery tech: DBT + e-KYC + face-authentication attendance curb leakage and ghost musters [1][3].

Continuities and caveats - The justiciable right to work and 15-day unemployment allowance survive; a saving clause carries over ongoing works — the safety-net core persists [2]. - Tilt from "demand" to supply-side saturation planning risks diluting the on-demand entitlement during lean seasons. - 60:40 cost-sharing may strain states (four yet to budget) [1]; success hinges on Gram Panchayat capacity (73rd Amendment) [1].

Thus the Act is less a rupture than a maturation — from relief to durable rural transformation. If entitlement safeguards and panchayat capacity are protected, it can advance SDG-8 and Viksit Bharat@2047.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Centre Unveils ₹1.25 Lakh Crore Rural Development Push (PIB) — interim allocation, DBT/e-KYC/face-authentication rollout, state budgetary provisions, GP-routed works 2. Historic Commencement of Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act from 1 July 2026 (PIB) — repeal of MGNREGA, VGPPs, four thematic heads, ₹95,692.31 cr BE, ₹1.51 lakh cr outlay, 125 days, saving clause 3. Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025 — Features/Q&A (PIB) — 125-day guarantee, 60:40 cost-share, DBT wages, face-authentication attendance, e-KYC job cards 4. PRS Bill Track: VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025 — replaces MGNREGA 2005, retains 15-day unemployment allowance