Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Mgnrega Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act

MGNREGA UPSC Notes: National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

Last Updated on Apr 18, 2024
Also Read Mgnrega Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005, subsequently renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is a labor law and social security initiative in India designed to ensure the 'right to work.' The primary objective is to bolster livelihood security in rural regions by offering a minimum of 100 days of wage employment per financial year to households whose adult members willingly engage in unskilled manual labor. MGNREGA has generated more than 100 crore person days of employment in the year 2020-21. The MGNREGA works in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and Command Area and Water Management (CAD & WM) schemes for better outcomes of the water conservation and water harvesting measures.

Source: MGNREGA UP

Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGA UPSC is an important topic of the UPSC Syllabus. Questions related to this section are asked constantly in both UPSC Prelims and UPSC mains examinations.

An Overview of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005

What is its full form?

The full name of MGNREGA is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

When did the MGNREGA Scheme go into effect?

2nd of February, 2006. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was passed on August 23, 2005.

What was the previous name of MGNREGA?

It was given the name National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Is there a difference between MGNREGS and MGNREGA?

MGNREGS is based on the MGNREGA system (Act)

How many districts are included in the MGNREGA program?

As of February 11th, 2021, 708 districts are covered.

What are the different Stakeholders in the MGNREGA?

Wage-earners

Gram Sabha is a local government unit in India (GS) Block Programme Officer District Programme Coordinator Institutions of Panchayati Raj (PRIs) of three levels (DPC)

The State Government’s Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)

Civil Society (Civil Society) (Civil Society)

Other departments (in-line, convergence, and Self-Help Groups) (SHGs)

What is the MGNREGA Job Card, exactly?

It’s a document that proves a worker’s eligibility for MGNREGA-sponsored employment.

NREGS: Mahatma Gandhi’s requirement of providing at least 100 days of labor with a guaranteed income in a financial year/

What is the official website of MGNREGA?

https://nrega.nic.in/netnrega/home.aspx.

Background of MGNREGA

  • This scheme took its existence from the pilot scheme launched by the P.V Narashima Rao government for generating employment in rural areas in the year 1991.
  • The aim of the MGNREGA was employment generation for agricultural labour, infrastructure development and enhanced food security for the rural population.
  • The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was notified in 2005, and the name of the scheme was changed to Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Objectives of the MGNREGA Scheme

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at:

  • Generating guaranteed 100 days of employment for the rural unskilled labour.
  • Strengthening livelihood of rural poor by providing economic security.
  • Reducing migration to urban areas by providing adequate facilities in rural areas.

Learn about MUDRA Yojna here.

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Features of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005
  • It focuses on rural connectivity, providing irrigation facilities in rural areas.
  • MGNREGA Scheme focuses on creating durable assets and strengthening the livelihood resource base of the rural poor.
  • The schemes contain adequate provisions for ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels of implementation.
  • The programme Officer and Gram Panchayat can direct any person under MGNREGA Scheme to do work of any type pennissible under the scheme.
  • The labourers are not paid less than the wage rate.
  • The works taken up under the scheme shall only be in rural areas.
  • There is provision for regular inspection and supervision of works taken up under the Scheme.

Also, read about the Kisan Vikas Patra Scheme for UPSC!

Role of Stakeholders in MGNREGA

Role of Gram Sabha

  • Determines the order of priority of works by observing potential of the local area, its needs, and local resources.
  • Responsible for monitoring the execution of works within the Gram Panchayat.
  • Act as a forum for social audits.
  • Provides a platform to resolve worker’s queries.

Roles of Gram Panchayat

  • The applications for MGNREGA registration are given in Gram Panchayats of the village.
  • It is the duty of the Gram Panchayat to register the household and verify registration applications.
  • It also issues a job card that contains details of adult members of the household along with their photographs.
  • It maintains the documents related to the scheme containing particulars of job cards and passbooks issued.
  • It supplies information to the concerned Programme Officer.
  • It may direct the Programme Officer to remove the name of the applicant and return the job card if faulty information is found.
  • It is responsible for timely allocation of work within fifteen days of submitting the application.
  • It is responsible for the identification, planning and determining order of priority of works.

Responsibilities of State Government

  • The Annual Report is submitted to the State Council by the District Programme Coordinator concerning issues of unemployment and allowances payment.
  • State Government shall arrange for hospitalisation including accommodation, treatment, medicines and payment of daily allowance to any injured worker.
  • The State Government prescribes the portion of the wages that may be paid in cash to the labourers on a daily basis during the period of employment.
  • Compensation in cases of injury or death is determined by the State Government from the State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF).
  • It sets up a State level MGNREGA implementation agency along with State level MGNREGA social audit agency.
  • It is also responsible for the establishment of the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC).
  • The state government frames rules and notify the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the State.

Also, check the article on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana here.

Eligibility for Availing MGNREGA Benefits
  • One must be an Indian citizen to be eligible for NREGA benefits.
  • The job applicant was 18 years old at the time of application.
  • The applicant must be a local family member (i.e. application must be made with local Gram Panchayat).
  • The applicant is expected to volunteer for unskilled labor.

Funding Status of MGNREGA
  • According to its own financial reporting, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) plan has a negative net balance of Rs 8,686 crore.
  • For the fiscal year 2021-22, the Centre allocated 73,000 crore during the Budget Estimate stage for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).
  • The allocated budget for fiscal year 2020-21 is 34% lower than the revised estimate of 1,11,500 crore. As of October 29, total spending, including payments due, had topped 79,810 crore, putting the scheme in the red.
  • Twenty-one states have already reported a negative net balance, with the worst performers being Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Read the article on 100 Days Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme!

Issues with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGA
  • Data on the impact of productive assets: The government does not keep track of whether a building has contributed to water conservation. In addition, no government data exists on the impact of asset accumulation on groundwater levels, livelihoods, or other issues.
  • Poor maintenance: Many of the structures developed during the MGNREGA program have become obsolete due to poor maintenance. Simply put, time, energy, and resources have been squandered.
  • Inadequate funds: There has been a huge surge in demand for MGNREGA projects during pandemics. The government, on the other hand, has not distributed funds in a proportionate manner.
    • Rs 73,000 crores have been set aside for the fiscal year 2021-22.
    • It is greater than the Rs. 61,500 crores budgeted for 2020-21. The revised estimate of Rs.1,11,500 crores, on the other hand, is 34.5 percent lower.
  • Inadequate help: With the unemployment rate at a 45-year high of 6%, offering only 100 days of work is not enough.
  • Wage rate is absurdly low: in at least 17 of the 21 major states, MNREGA compensation rates are currently lower than the state minimum wage for agriculture. Between 23 percent and 33 percent of the minimum wage is the difference.
    • According to data from the National Sample Survey Office, the average daily wage for general agricultural laborers in 2017 was Rs. 264.05 for males and Rs. 205.32 for women (NSSO).
    • Workers have lost interest in working on MGNREGA projects as a result of the extremely low pay rates, allowing contractors and intermediaries to take control locally.
  • Payment delays: The majority of states have failed to pay wages within 15 days, as required under MGNREGA. Workers aren’t paid if their paychecks aren’t delivered on time.
    • As a result, the system has evolved into a demand-driven paradigm, and workers are becoming dissatisfied with their jobs.
    • Postponed MGNREGA wage payments were described as “a clear constitutional breach done by the State” and “a new species of beggar” by the Supreme Court in a 2016 order.
  • PRI’s function is ineffective: Gram panchayats are unable to fully and efficiently implement this Act due to their lack of autonomy.
    • There are numerous projects that have yet to be completed.
    • Projects under the MGNREGA have been delayed, and inspections have been inconsistent. Under MGNREGA, there are also issues with work quality and asset development.

Know more about the Mid Day Meal Scheme here.

Important Facts about MGNREGA for UPSC
  • The MNREGA scheme is monitored by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India.
  • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India looks after the entire implementation of this scheme while working in close association with state governments..
  • The registration made under MGNREGA cannot be less than five years, and may be renewed from time to time.
  • Every adult member of a registered household whose name appears in the job card shall be entitled to apply for unskilled manual work under the Scheme.
  • A maximum of one hundred days employment per household is given in a financial year for a person.
  • At least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and requested for work under this Act.
  • Applications for work must be for at least fourteen days of continuous work.
  • If work is provided within the Block instead of 5Km radius of the village then the labourers shall be paid ten per cent of the wage rate as extra wages to meet additional transportation and living expenses.
  • A period of employment shall ordinarily be at least fourteen days continuously with not more than six days in a week.
  • A person is entitled to seek medical treatment if he encounters an injury while working under this MGNREGA scheme.
  • The labourers are entitled to receive payment of compensation as per the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, if payment is not received timely.

We hope this article will be helpful for the aspirants of various competitive exams. You can avail more such notes, test series, current affairs sessions, live coaching and much more from our Testbook app. Ace your preparation by downloading the Testbook App now.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

MGNREGA UPSC FAQs

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a social security scheme. It provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households in India.

The main aim of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act 2005 is to enhance livelihood security in rural areas. This is done by providing employment opportunities, promoting sustainable development, and reducing rural poverty.

The three main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 are: the legal guarantee of employment, provision of 100 days of wage employment per year, and focus on asset creation for sustainable development.

The MGNREGA scheme was started by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The state of Maharashtra was the first to introduce the MGNREGA scheme before it was rolled out nationwide.

MGNREGA was officially launched on February 2, 2006.

An MGNREGA job card is an official document issued to rural households registered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. It serves as proof of their eligibility for employment and wage benefits under the scheme.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice