G RAM G Full Form, Key Features of the Bill: Understanding India’s New 125-Day Rural Employment Scheme
The G RAM G Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2025, has sparked viral interest, with people across India searching for its full form. The legislation replaces MGNREGA, increasing guaranteed work from 100 to 125 days. It introduces a 60:40 fund-sharing model with states and a 60-day agricultural pause.
New Delhi, December 18: In a landmark move for India's rural economy, the Lok Sabha passed the G RAM G Bill 2025, on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The new legislation is set to replace the twenty-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or MGNREGA. Under the new framework, the statutory guarantee for wage employment has been increased from 100 days to 125 days per rural household annually. Meanwhile, online searches for "G RAM G full form" have surged as the public tries to decode the name of India's newest rural employment law.
If you are also looking to know the full form of G RAM G, here is the answer. The legislation is named Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, commonly referred to as G RAM G. G RAM G stands for Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin).
There is significant social media discussion regarding the "reverse-engineered" nature of the acronym, with a section of netizens noting that the name appears designed to include the word "RAM" while removing "Mahatma Gandhi" from the scheme's title. VB-G RAM G Bill 2025: New Bill Replacing MGNREGA Passed by Lok Sabha Amid Opposition Protest; PM Narendra Modi Keeps Mahatma Gandhi's Ideals Alive, Says Shivraj Chouhan.
Key Features of the G RAM G Bill 2025
The VB-G RAM G Bill 2025, introduced by Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, aims to align rural employment with the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision by focusing on durable infrastructure rather than just manual labour.
The most significant shift in the G RAM G Act is the expansion of guaranteed workdays, providing a potential 25% increase in annual income for rural families. However, the funding structure has also undergone a major overhaul.
Unlike MGNREGA, where the Central Government bore 100% of the unskilled wage costs, G RAM G operates on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and most States. For North-Eastern and Himalayan states, the ratio is set at 90:10, while Union Territories without legislatures will continue to receive 100% central funding.
The 'Agricultural Pause' and Infrastructure Focus
To address long-standing concerns from the farming community regarding labor shortages during peak seasons, the new law introduces an "Agricultural Pause." States are now empowered to halt public works for up to 60 days during sowing and harvesting periods to ensure the availability of farm labor and prevent artificial wage inflation.
Furthermore, all projects under the mission must now fall into four strategic categories to ensure the creation of high-quality assets:
- Water Security: Rejuvenation of ponds, canals, and groundwater recharge.
- Core Rural Infrastructure: Roads and connectivity to link villages to markets.
- Livelihood Assets: Warehouses, drying yards, and local markets.
- Climate Resilience: Flood control and disaster mitigation works.
Digital Governance and Accountability
The government has integrated the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, a digital platform that links village-level plans with the national PM Gati Shakti master plan. This tech-heavy approach mandates biometric authentication, GPS-enabled monitoring, and AI-driven fraud detection to minimize the leakages that historically plagued the MGNREGA system.
Opposition and Civil Society Concerns
Despite the increase in workdays, the Bill has faced sharp criticism from Opposition leaders. Critics argue that removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme is a political move that diminishes the legacy of the original rights-based framework.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the shift from "demand-driven" funding to "normative" allocations. Activists worry that capping budgets at the start of the year might lead to work being denied once the funds are exhausted, potentially weakening the legal guarantee that once allowed any rural citizen to demand work at any time.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2025 03:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).