New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- The government has allocated a combined Rs.1,25,692 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27 for the new and existing rural jobs guarantee schemes.

Of this, Rs.95,692 crore has been earmarked for the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) scheme, while the government has set aside Rs.30,000 crore for the outgoing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

In the 2025-26 budget estimates, the government had allocated Rs.86,000 crore for MGNREGA.

Mint reported on 21 January that the government was eyeing dual allocations for the two schemes during the transition year.

The VB-G RAM G scheme, to be notified by the Centre, will give states six months to transition fr...