Millions of rural workers across India will receive higher daily wages from July 1 as the Centre rolls out revised wage rates under the newly launched Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G. For the first time in the history of the country's rural employment guarantee programme, a nationwide minimum wage floor of ₹300 per day has been introduced, ensuring that no notified wage rate falls below this level.

The move marks one of the most significant wage revisions in recent years and comes alongside the launch of the Centre's new rural employment scheme that replaces MGNREGS. Apart from higher wages, the programme also expands guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days annually, potentially increasing income opportunities for rural households.

What changes for workers from July 1?

The biggest takeaway for workers is simple: daily wages have gone up across every state, Union Territory and wage region covered under the scheme.

According to the revised notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development, wage rates have been increased in all states, Union Territories and wage zones. More than 20 states and administrative regions that previously had lower wage levels have now been brought up to the new ₹300 minimum benchmark.

The national average wage under the rural employment programme has increased from ₹298.8 per day under the previous MGNREGS framework to ₹327.4 per day under VB-G RAM G. This translates into an average increase of ₹28.6 per day, or more than 10%.

Biggest gains for low-wage states

The latest revision is expected to benefit workers in states that historically received some of the lowest wage rates.

Among the biggest beneficiaries are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, where wage increases range between 15% and 25%.

Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland recorded the sharpest rise, with wages increasing by nearly 24.5%. Significant increases have also been notified for Uttarakhand, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

Before the revision, some regions had wage rates as low as ₹241 per day. The introduction of the ₹300 floor effectively eliminates those lower wage brackets.

Which states now offer the highest wages?

States that already had relatively higher wage rates have also received upward revisions.

Haryana now tops the list among major states with a notified wage rate of ₹409 per day. Goa follows at ₹406, while Kerala workers will receive ₹401 per day.

Certain high-altitude regions of Sikkim have been assigned wage rates reaching ₹450 per day, making them among the highest-paid areas under the programme.

Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the revised structure was intended to deliver the largest gains to workers in states that historically received lower wages, strengthening rural livelihoods and supporting broader development goals.

What is VB-G RAM G?

VB-G RAM G, launched nationwide on July 1, is the government's new rural employment guarantee programme replacing MGNREGS.

Apart from higher wages, the scheme increases guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days per year. The government says the programme is aimed at boosting rural incomes, creating more employment opportunities and supporting its broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.