Rural Development Ministry Publishes Draft Rules for VB-G RAM G Act 2025, Guarantees 125 Days of Employment from July 1

Centre Mandates 60:40 Centre-State Funding Split for VB-G RAM-G Rural Employment Scheme

The Centre has shifted the funding pattern of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (now VB-G RAM-G) from 100% central funding to a 60:40 Centre-State split (90:10 for Himalayan/Northeast states). This marks a major fiscal federalism change, with states allocating full 40% despite political opposition. Essential for Prelims (ratio, scheme name) and Mains (fiscal federalism, rural wage floor).

VB-G RAM G Reports 49.94% YoY Decline in Rural Employment Generation in July 2026

The government replaced the two-decade-old MGNREGS with the new VB-G RAM G scheme from July 1, 2026. First-month data shows a sharp 49.94% year-on-year drop in person-days (7.67 crore) and a 51.45% fall in households availing work (68.94 lakh). This decline, the lowest in five years, raises concerns about rural demand and the fallback for agricultural labourers during an erratic monsoon.

VB-GRAM G Act Replaces MGNREGA: 68% Drop in Employment, SC Flags Right to Work

The Union government replaced MGNREGA with the VB-GRAM G Act in December 2025, leading to a 68% fall in rural employment. The Supreme Court has raised the question whether the 'Right to Work' should be treated as a fundamental right under Article 21. This news is critical for understanding the constitutional status of socio-economic rights, the doctrine of non-retrogression, and the fiscal federalism debate around Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

Parliamentary Panel Flags DDU-GKY Employment Gap; 18.38 Lakh Trained, 11.94 Lakh Placed

A parliamentary committee has found that many candidates trained under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) are not securing jobs or are underpaid, and fund utilization across major rural skilling schemes is poor. This highlights systemic skill-employment mismatch and the need for robust placement tracking and post-placement support.

VB-G RAM G Scheme: Karnataka Person-Days Fall 70% in July, 805 GPs with Nil Expenditure

The new VB-G RAM G scheme, which replaced MGNREGA from July 1, 2026, has seen a drastic drop in employment generation in Karnataka - only 17.98 lakh person-days in July 2026 vs 61.48 lakh in July 2025 under MGNREGA. Implementation delays, lack of clarity, and procedural hurdles are blamed. This is critical for understanding rural employment policy shifts.

VB-G RAM G Launch Sees 40%+ Employment Crash vs MGNREGA July 2025

India's new rural employment guarantee scheme (VB-G RAM G) replacing MGNREGA has witnessed a catastrophic 40%+ decline in employment generation in its first month (July 2026) compared to the same month last year. With some of India's poorest states seeing near-zero employment for months, this poses a severe rural distress risk and is a critical topic for exams.

Health Ministry Amends Drugs Rules, 1945: New Debarment Power for Fake Data Cases

The Health Ministry has strengthened the Drugs Rules, 1945 to penalize applicants who submit fake data for drug approvals. Previously, only rejection/cancellation was possible; now licensing authorities can debar entities from filing new applications for a period, with show-cause notice and appeal provisions. This is crucial for exam questions on regulatory frameworks, pharmaceutical governance, and the Drugs & Cosmetics Act.

₹13,427 Cr Approved for 11.18 Lakh PMAY-G Houses in Bihar; 2.35 Lakh Grih Pravesh Completed

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced approval for 11,18,937 pucca houses under PMAY-G for Bihar with ₹13,427 crore allocation. The 'Grih Pravesh' of 2.35 lakh houses completed in FY 2026-27 was also celebrated, highlighting the government's focus on rural housing as a tool for dignity and poverty alleviation.