Employment Guarantee Schemes — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
MGNREGA Budget Allocation Increased to ₹86,000 Crores in Budget 2024-25
February 2024The significant budget increase reflects the government's continued commitment to employment guarantee schemes despite fiscal constraints. This allocation represents a 12% increase from the previous year and includes provisions for convergence with other rural development schemes. The budget also introduced performance-based incentives for states achieving better implementation outcomes, marking a shift toward results-oriented funding.
UPSC Angle: Expected questions on fiscal policy priorities, budget allocation trends, and integration of employment schemes with broader development strategy
Launch of Digital Attendance System and Aadhaar-Based Payments in MGNREGA
August 2024The nationwide rollout of digital attendance through mobile applications and Aadhaar-based direct benefit transfer addresses long-standing issues of fake job cards and payment delays. This technological intervention has reduced payment delays from 47 days to 12 days on average and eliminated ghost beneficiaries. The system also enables real-time monitoring of work progress and quality through geo-tagged photographs.
UPSC Angle: Questions likely on digital governance, technology in welfare delivery, financial inclusion, and administrative reforms in government schemes