Economy · 11 Aug 2026

VB-GRAM G scheme MGNREGS replacement

With reference to the VB-GRAM G scheme, which replaced MGNREGS from July 1, 2026, consider the following statements:

  1. It guarantees a higher number of employment days per household per year compared to MGNREGS.
  2. It permits states to pause scheme implementation for up to 60 days during peak sowing and harvesting seasons.
  3. Person-days generated under the scheme rose in its first month of operation compared to the same month a year earlier.
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: The 50% Rural Jobs Dip Isn't a Funding Failure - It's a Clause Colliding With the Sowing Season
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About this question

Why in news

Official dashboard data as of August 9 shows rural employment generation nearly halved in VB-GRAM G's first month, raising concerns about the scheme's 60-day pause provision colliding with a poor monsoon season.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often probes the specific design feature (here, the pause clause) behind a headline statistic, rather than the statistic itself - testing whether the aspirant understands the scheme's structure, not just that "rural jobs fell."

Prelims summary

VB-GRAM G replaced MGNREGS on July 1, 2026, raising the guarantee to 125 days but adding a 60-day seasonal pause clause. Person-days fell sharply in its first month amid a weak monsoon.

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