Union Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets ₹95,692.31 crore; experts warn it falls far short of allocation needed to guarantee 125 workdays

The budget for rural employment schemes saw a 43% hike, with allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore to the new rural employment scheme under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act, 2025 and ₹30,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Together, the allocation for both rural employment schemes stands at ₹1,25,692.31 crore, compared with the Revised Estimate of ₹88,000 crore for the MGNREGA in 2025-26. However according to activists, the allocation is not expected to meet the government’s own target of providing 125 workdays to all workers enrolled under the MGNREGS. Calculations show that to meet this commitment, the government would need to allocate ₹2.30 lakh crore.