According to top government sources, the Union Cabinet may approve renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005 to the “Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Bill 2025”.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is scheduled to meet on December 12. Sources indicate that the Cabinet may approve renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to “Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Bill 2025”. The new name is expected to give the scheme a fresh identity and strengthen its scope.
In addition, the Cabinet is likely to approve the Vikas Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill 2025, which aims to bring major reforms in the education sector.
About MGNREGA
MGNREGA is one of the government’s flagship welfare schemes designed to provide jobs in rural areas. It legally guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to any rural household seeking unskilled manual work. The programme is rights-based, with provisions for transparency, social audits, and timely wage payments.
Role During COVID-19
The scheme played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for work surged, absorbing a large number of returning migrant workers.
Impact on Women and Rural Workforce
MGNREGA has also increased women’s participation in the workforce by offering guaranteed wages close to home, reducing dependence on informal labour markets, and providing a stable source of income for rural households.
