GOI renames MGNREGA to Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

The Government of India has renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2025. The proposed move aims to refresh the scheme’s identity while reinforcing its Gandhian roots in rural self-reliance and employment generation. Alongside the name change, the government is expected to introduce additional benefits for existing beneficiaries, including higher wage rates linked to inflation, expanded coverage for semi-skilled work, and improved digital payment mechanisms. The revamped scheme may also incentivize skill development and sustainable livelihood projects such as water conservation and agro-forestry. Officials suggest that the rebranding aligns with a broader effort to modernize India’s flagship rural employment program while retaining its core principle — offering guaranteed wage employment to rural households during periods of job distress.