The Assam Cabinet on Saturday approved the implementation framework for the ₹2,000-crore Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), set to commence on July 1, which aims to provide 125 days of direct wage employment and create community assets across the state. In a separate key decision, the cabinet also imposed a ban on fresh Aadhaar enrolment for individuals above 18 years of age, with specific exemptions for Divyang persons, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities.
These decisions, taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, mark a significant policy shift in rural employment generation and identity verification in Assam. The rural employment mission seeks to bolster livelihood security and infrastructure, while the Aadhaar restriction aims to curb potential misuse by illegal immigrants, according to government officials.
What was announced
The Assam Cabinet, during its meeting on Saturday, approved the operational framework for the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). This new rural employment programme, with a budget allocation of ₹2,000 crore, will become effective from July 1. Its primary objective is to ensure 125 days of direct wage employment for rural households and facilitate the creation of durable community assets across Assam, as stated in an official release.
Concurrently, the cabinet announced a significant policy change regarding Aadhaar enrolment. It decided that no fresh Aadhaar enrolment would be permitted for individuals above 18 years of age in Assam. However, the government has granted exemptions for Divyang persons, members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities. For SC, ST, and tea garden applicants, this exemption will remain in force until March 31, 2027, after which the restriction will apply to them as well, officials confirmed. The restriction does not apply to individuals below 18 years of age.
Why it matters
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) is poised to significantly enhance rural livelihood security in Assam by increasing the guaranteed wage employment from 100 days under the erstwhile Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to 125 days annually. This initiative, backed by a substantial ₹2,000 crore allocation, aims to create a robust rural infrastructure stack through public works focused on water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood assets, and climate resilience.
For Assam, a Northeastern state, the scheme will operate under a special 90:10 funding pattern, with the Centre bearing 90 percent of the programme cost and the state government contributing the remaining 10 percent. This arrangement is expected to ease the financial burden on the state while ensuring greater investment in rural development projects, according to officials familiar with the matter. Assam is anticipated to receive a proposed allocation of ₹1,929 crore under the Central scheme.
The restriction on Aadhaar enrolment for adults is a crucial step in Assam’s broader strategy to strengthen identity verification mechanisms and address concerns over illegal immigration. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that Aadhaar enrolment in Assam has largely reached saturation levels, with some districts even reporting figures exceeding 100 percent. The new policy aims to scrutinise new applications more closely to prevent illegal immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh, from fraudulently obtaining Aadhaar cards, officials said.
Background
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G Act, 2025) was enacted by the Parliament of India on December 18-19, 2025, and received presidential assent on December 21, 2025. It replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, with a revised statutory framework for rural employment and livelihood security, aligning with the Government of India’s long-term development vision, Viksit Bharat @2047. The new Act officially comes into force across all rural areas of the country from July 1, 2026.
Under MGNREGA, Assam’s performance in job generation has faced challenges. Reports from the Union Ministry of Rural Development indicate a decreasing trend in overall job generation in Assam over the last three financial years, with only 19,665 households receiving 100 days of work in FY 2023-24. The state also has pending liabilities of ₹711.65 crore under MGNREGS as of March 20, 2026, including wages, materials, and administrative components. This new mission aims to address these shortcomings with an enhanced guarantee and a more structured approach.
Regarding Aadhaar, the Assam government has long expressed concerns about illegal immigration and its impact on the state’s demographics and resources. Chief Minister Sarma has consistently highlighted the need for stringent identity verification mechanisms. The decision to restrict Aadhaar enrolment for adults is a direct outcome of these concerns, with the government aiming to prevent the document from being misused by non-citizens. Sarma had previously pledged to provide two lakh government jobs and financial assistance to ten lakh unemployed individuals, emphasising entrepreneurship and rural growth.
Key details
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) will provide 125 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household in each financial year to adult members volunteering for unskilled manual work. The Act mandates timely wage payments within 15 days of work completion and includes provisions for unemployment allowance if work is not provided within this timeframe.
The scheme emphasizes the creation of durable rural assets under four thematic focus domains: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and works to mitigate extreme weather events. Planning for these works will begin at the Gram Panchayat level and be integrated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack.
For Aadhaar enrolment, the ban on fresh applications for individuals above 18 years of age comes with specific exemptions. Divyang persons, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities can continue to enrol until March 31, 2027. After this date, the restriction will apply to these communities as well. For exceptional cases, individuals above 18 seeking Aadhaar enrolment will require approval from the state government, with District Commissioners examining applications and forwarding recommendations.
What’s next
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) will officially commence implementation across Assam from July 1. Rural development officials will initiate the process of identifying eligible households and projects in alignment with the new framework. The state government will also work to ensure a seamless transition from the previous MGNREGA framework.
Regarding Aadhaar, the new policy restricting adult enrolments is effective immediately. The state administration, through District Commissioners, will establish the special verification process for exceptional cases. The exemptions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities will remain in effect until March 31, 2027, after which a universal application of the restriction for adults above 18 years will come into force.
Quick FAQs
What is the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)?
This is a new rural employment and livelihood scheme approved by the Assam Cabinet, replacing MGNREGA. It guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household annually and focuses on creating community assets.
When does the new rural employment scheme start in Assam?
The scheme will come into effect from July 1 across Assam.
What is the new Aadhaar enrolment policy for adults in Assam?
The Assam Cabinet has banned fresh Aadhaar enrolment for individuals above 18 years of age. Exemptions apply to Divyang persons, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities until March 31, 2027.
Why has Assam restricted Aadhaar enrolment for adults?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move aims to prevent illegal immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh, from obtaining Aadhaar cards and to strengthen identity verification mechanisms in the state.