India, Jan. 29 -- Government says a stronger rural economy justifies replacing MGNREGA with the new VB GRAMG Act

Economic Survey points to rising rural incomes, consumption and falling demand for MGNREGA work

Person-days under MGNREGA have fallen by more than 50% since the pandemic peak, the Survey says

Experts warn exclusions driven by data mismatches and budget caps risk denying genuine entitlements

In the Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in Parliament on January 29, 2026, the Centre cited improving rural economic conditions to argue for a revamp of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), proposing its replacement with the controversial Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act...