Government Notifies 318 Works Under Rural Employment Framework

On 24 June 2026, the Government of India notified an interim list of 318 permissible works under the new rural employment framework. The framework will roll out on 1 July 2026 under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Framework and legal basis

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, is the statutory basis for the new rural employment system. The Act provides an annual employment guarantee of 125 days per rural household, compared with 100 days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Permissible works and planning structure

The interim list of 318 works is grouped under four thematic areas. These areas are water security, core rural infrastructure, rural livelihoods, and special works for mitigation of extreme weather events. The framework uses a “single plan – multi funding” approach, and the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan serves as the primary planning instrument at the Gram Panchayat level.

Consultation and administrative process

The Ministry of Rural Development shared the interim list with states and other ministries on 24 June 2026 and sought views for additions based on local requirements. A high-level inter-ministerial consultation on the draft convergence framework was held on 24 and 25 June 2026 and was chaired by Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal. Representatives from 18 ministries and departments took part in the consultation.

State-level and Union Territory-level changes

Karnataka raised concerns on 24 June 2026 over the revised funding pattern, which changes the Centre-State sharing ratio from 90:10 to 60:40. Jammu and Kashmir notified the Jammu Kashmir Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Scheme, 2026, on 24 June 2026, and the scheme will replace MGNREGA in the Union Territory from 1 July 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• MGNREGA was enacted in 2005 and provided a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households.
• The new framework increases the guaranteed employment period to 125 days per rural household annually.
• The Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan is linked to Gram Panchayat-level planning under the new system.
• The Centre announced deployment of over 100 area officers across the country on 19 June 2026 for transition support.

The new framework is linked to convergence with multiple ministries and departments. The interim list contains 318 works across four thematic areas.