What is MGNREGA and how is India's rural employment guarantee changing in 2026?

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1. 1

   Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

   Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (Das)Published Feb 25, 2021Checked Oct 12, 2026

   “To this end, the Act guarantees 100 days of annual employment at statutory minimum wage rates to any rural household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work. The manual work needs to create sustainable assets that promote the economic and infrastructure development of villages. Implemented in three phases beginning in 2006, the Act extended to all of rural India in April 2008. NREGA is an innovative answer to the long-standing problem of providing social safety nets in rural areas. The overall objective of this paper is to bring focus on Issues and challenges of MGNREGA and to evaluate the performance since its enactment. Apart from academic perspective on the need, relevance and justification for the MGNREGA, it also seeks to establish a dialogue between academics and policy makers with those who are working at grass root level to monitor the functioning of the MGNREGA. Another objective of the paper is to bring together all these diverse experiences on a common platform to arrive at some common understandings on the problems faced in implementation of MGNREGA and also to learn from the successes in implementing MGNREGA.”

2. 2

   PREVENTING RURAL EXODUS: A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF POLICIES ON RURAL EMPLOYMENT & URBAN MIGRATION — INDIA PERSPECTIVE

   Science and Culture (Singh)Published Feb 9, 2026Checked Oct 12, 2026

   “Rural-to-urban migration in India results from agricultural challenges, limited rural jobs, and the belief in better urban opportunities.While migration can diversify income and manage risks, it presents issues for both sending and receiving areas.This article assesses India's legal frameworks and policies aimed at preventing distress migration by increasing rural job opportunities and livelihoods.It also reviews major programs like MGNREGA and skill development initiatives, identifying their strengths, necessary improvements, and potential unintended effects.The study highlights ineffective laws due to poor implementation, lack of coordination, and inadequate attention to gender and structural issues.Recommendations include increasing rural employment chances, aligning skills with rural economic needs, enhancing social protections, and supporting land reforms to transform migration into an alternative rather than a necessity.The article earmark policymakers, legal experts, and rural development practitioners for guidance on promoting sustainable rural livelihoods.”

3. 3

   Employment Guarantee and Gendered Transfortion: A Thematic Review of Mgnregs and Rural Women’s Empowerment In India

   International Journal of Science Strategic Management and Technology (Rai)Published Feb 27, 2026Checked Oct 12, 2026

   “The results indicate that MGNREGS has contributed substantially to women’s participation in the labour force and has led to reduce the gender gap in wages because of the provision of equal wages. Empirical research points to better income security, financial inclusion and access to local governance institutions. However, the potential of the scheme in bringing about a structural change is not uniform. Structural factors such as delayed wages, unpaid career work, caste, governance and disparities are some of the factors that hinder the potential of the scheme in bringing about the outcome sin terms of empowerment. The review points out the gaps in research which include a lack of longitudinal studies, a lack of integration of unpaid care work in impact assessments and a lack of exploration of intersectional vulnerabilities. The review concludes that although MGNREGS has empowered women economically, its potential for bringing about structural gender transformation is dependent on institutional changes and sensitivity to context.”

4. 4

   Impact of MGNREGA among the livelihoods of rural people

   International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development (PP & Anshida)Published Jan 1, 2024Checked Oct 12, 2026

   “A total of 120 beneficiaries were selected using stratified random sampling, and data were collected through a structured interview schedule. The study employed statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, paired sample t-test, and Garrett ranking technique to analyze the data. The findings revealed that MGNREGA provided an average of 78.2 days of employment per year, with an average wage of ?272 per day, resulting in an annual income of ?21,270. The scheme led to a statistically significant increase in household income (p < 0.01), improving access to food, education, and healthcare. Furthermore, women participants reported enhanced financial independence and decision-making ability, indicating a positive role of MGNREGA in women empowerment. However, major constraints identified included delays in wage payments, limited availability of work, and lack of awareness about entitlements. The study concludes that MGNREGA plays a pivotal role in improving rural livelihoods, but effective implementation and timely payments are essential to realize its full potential.”

5. 5

   MGNREGA in Nagaland: An Evaluation of Employment Outcomes and Inclusion Gaps

   Journal of Development Economics and Management Research Studies (Kumar & Shobana)Published Jan 1, 2025Checked Oct 12, 2026

   “This study evaluates the effectiveness of MGNREGA implementation in Nagaland with a particular focus on employment outcomes and inclusion gaps during the period 2022–2024. Drawing on official performance data, the research highlights key discrepancies between job card issuance, employment demand, and actual work provided across districts in the state. Notably, despite high job card coverage, Nagaland recorded one of the lowest proportions of households completing 100 days of employment (0.1%) in FY 2023–24. The analysis further reveals significant gaps in the inclusion of vulnerable segments, with Scheduled Tribes constituting the majority of beneficiaries, minimal participation from Scheduled Castes, and less than 50% representation of women. These findings point to underlying structural and administrative challenges affecting the scheme’s outreach and efficacy. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing demand generation, equitable participation, and program transparency to strengthen the impact of MGNREGA in Nagaland.”

6. 6

   The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) - Description and Evaluation of the Rural Employment Policy in India

   International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research (- & -)Published Feb 17, 2024Checked Oct 12, 2026

   “The study explores the policy framework, objectives, and implementation of MGNREGA, emphasizing its role in addressing work and food shortages in Indian villages. The paper employs policy analysis and impact assessment methodologies, considering factors such as rural poverty, wealth distribution, and the need for inclusive economic growth. The evaluation covers key features of the policy, including the establishment of a National Employment Guarantee Fund, weekly wage payments, gender equality, and prohibition of contractors and labour-displacing machines. The impact assessment indicates positive outcomes in areas such as income, labour rates, food security, savings, debt clearance, confidence building, and reduced distress migration. The case study of Andhra Pradesh highlights the program's effectiveness, with an average employment of 53 days per household and an additional income of Rs.5100 during the 2010-11 period. The paper underscores MGNREGA's significance in achieving participatory and equitable growth, complementing market-oriented and infrastructure-related policies.”