The Central Government has launched the Vikas Bharat–Guarantee for Employment and Livelihoods Mission (Rural), or VB-G RAM G, across the country from July 1, 2026.
The new scheme replaces MGNREGA and brings higher daily wages and a longer employment guarantee for rural workers.
Under the new scheme, eligible workers in every state and union territory will receive at least ₹300 per day.
The government says the initiative aims to improve rural incomes, reduce wage differences between states and provide better job security.
Key Features of the VB-G RAM G Scheme
The new rural employment programme offers several major benefits for workers.
Employment guarantee increased from 100 days to 125 days.
Minimum daily wage fixed at ₹300.
New wage rates applicable across all states and union territories.
Focus on increasing rural income and strengthening purchasing power.
Daily Wages Increased Across the Country
According to the government, the national average daily wage under the previous system was around ₹298.80.
Under the new scheme, it has increased to ₹327.40 per day.
This is an average increase of ₹28.60 per day, or more than 10%. States that earlier had the lowest wage rates have received some of the biggest increases.
States Offering the Highest Daily Wages
Some states will pay significantly more than the minimum wage under the new scheme.
| State | Daily Wage |
|---|---|
| Sikkim (High Altitude Gram Panchayats) | ₹450 |
| Haryana | ₹409 |
| Goa | ₹406 |
| Kerala | ₹401 |
| Karnataka | ₹349 |
| Punjab | ₹336 |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹336 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | ₹329 |
| Himachal Pradesh | ₹328 |
States Where the Minimum Wage Is ₹300
Workers in the following states and union territories will receive the minimum daily wage of ₹300:
Bihar
Uttar Pradesh
Jharkhand
Madhya Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Odisha
West Bengal
Assam
Arunachal Pradesh
Nagaland
Tripura
Mizoram
Meghalaya
Manipur
Uttarakhand
Ladakh
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Lakshadweep
Puducherry
Daily Wages in Other Major States
| State | Daily Wage |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | ₹307 |
| Telangana | ₹307 |
| Rajasthan | ₹308 |
| Maharashtra | ₹312 |
| Gujarat | ₹316 |
Which States Have Benefited the Most?
According to the government, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland have seen the highest wage growth, with an increase of around 24.5%.
Apart from these, workers in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura have also received significant wage hikes.
How Were the New Wages Decided?
The government said the revised wage rates were calculated after considering several factors, including:
Inflation and indexation
Minimum base wage
Existing state wage rates
Regional income disparities
What Does This Mean for Rural Families?
The new scheme is expected to provide better financial support to rural households.
With higher wages and an additional 25 days of guaranteed employment, workers could see a steady increase in annual income.
The government also expects higher spending in villages, which could support local businesses and strengthen the rural economy.
