New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- Demand for rural jobs under India's flagship public employment programme fell to a 10-month low in July as the onset of the monsoon season pulled millions of workers back to the fields, suggesting both seasonal shifts and early signs of rural economic resilience. About 16.6 million households sought work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in July, according to data from the ministry of rural development. That's down from 27.56 million in June, 28.38 million in May and 20.12 million in April. The July decline reflects a typical mid-year dip when agricultural activity tied to kharif sowing temporarily absorbs labour from public works. The fall also underscores the cyclical nature of rural livelihoods, where demand for government-backed employment often mirrors fluctuations in farm activity. Still, the national headline numbers mask sharp regional disparities and continued reliance on MGNREGA in several states. Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of households seeking work in July, at 3.11 million, followed by Uttar Pradesh (2.22 million), Rajasthan (1.4 million), Andhra Pradesh (1.28 million) and Madhya Pradesh (1.11 million), signalling sustained employment pressure across both southern and northern regions. Even in less industrialized states such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Kerala, MGNREGA remains a critical wage support, especially for vulnerable households struggling with erratic incomes and a still-fragile private-sector recovery. From January through July 2025, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu reported the highest cumulative job demand under the scheme, highlighting its continued importance across India's rural heartlands. Spokespersons for the ministries of finance and rural development did not respond to emailed requests for comment. As a demand-driven safety net, MGNREGA serves as a key gauge of rural economic health. While July's dip may be attributed to intensified farm activity, economists warn that job demand trends should be viewed against a backdrop of macroeconomic uncertainty and climatic variability....