The Central Government renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana.
Alongside the name change, the government increased the minimum guaranteed employment under the scheme to 125 days and revised the minimum wage to Rs 240 per day.
The scheme, first introduced in 2005 as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), later became MGNREGA. Built on the principle of ensuring the “right to work,” it remains one of India’s most significant social security initiatives. Its core objective is to enhance livelihood security for unskilled rural households.
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Under the earlier framework, the programme mandated at least 100 days of paid employment to adult members of rural families who volunteered to work. The latest revision expands this to 125 days, strengthening income support for rural communities.
Officials emphasised that the renaming reflects Gandhian ideals of rural empowerment, while the expansion of employment days and wages addresses livelihood challenges in villages. The government aims to make the scheme more impactful by aligning it with current socio-economic needs.
The evolution of the scheme highlights its growing importance:
- 2005: Launched as NREGA.
- Later: Renamed MGNREGA.
- 2025: Now renamed Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana.
