Friday marked yet another day of confusion and uncertainty as actor-turned-politician Vijay’s efforts to form the government hit yet another roadblock, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) yet to reach the magic number needed for a majority. As the day came to a close
Bigg Boss Telugu 3's Ashu Reddy posts engagement pictures amid alleged ₹9.35 crore cheating controversyActor and former Bigg Boss contestant Ashu Reddy surprised many when she posted pictures of her engagement ceremony. Take a look. May 9, 2026
Coal India MT Recruitment 2026: Registration for 660 posts begins on May 12 at coalindia.in, details hereCoal India will recruit for Management Trainee posts. The registration process for 660 posts will begin on May 12, 2026. Published on: May 08
An Indian influencer’s candid Instagram video about the high cost of travelling in the United States has triggered a debate online, with many of whom said they could relate to the financial anxiety of spending in dollars while earning in Indian rupees
Bhatia moves closer to Top-10 at Truist as McIlroy chases ImBhatia moves closer to Top-10 at Truist as McIlroy chases Im Updated on: May 09, 2026 9:38 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Charlotte , Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia edged closer to a top-10 placement
MGNREGS coverage and workdays fell sharply in 2025–26
MGNREGS coverage and workdays fell sharply in 2025–26: LibTech India
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) witnessed a sharp contraction in its scale and reach in 2025–26, according to a report on the final operational year of the scheme introduced by the Congress-led UPA era.
The report points to a paradoxical trend where the number of registered households rose marginally, but fewer households and workers found employment, total workdays declined significantly, and fewer families completed the guaranteed 100 days of work. The report was released by the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, a coalition of non-profit bodies working with MGNREGS workers, and was prepared by LibTech India, a consortium of academics and activists.
LibTech estimates that the contraction resulted in an average income loss of ₹1,221 for each MGNREGS household during the financial year.
The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025, which was passed in Parliament last December, is expected to come into force soon, replacing MGNREGS. The Union government has allocated only ₹30,000 crore for MGNREGS for the transitional period.
This decline is deeply worrying, the NREGA Sangarsh Morcha said, especially since the new employment scheme was brought in with no public consultation. “The employment guarantee programmes play a critical role in rural livelihood security and any major restructuring of such programmes must involve meaningful consultation,” it said in a statement. The activists have urged the government to ensure that during the transition period, employment opportunities will continue to be provided unhindered.
The number of registered households under the scheme increased by 3.2%, from 14.98 crore in 2024–25 to 15.46 crore in 2025–26. However, this did not translate into greater employment. The report notes that 44 lakh fewer households and 67 lakh fewer workers were employed compared to the previous year, representing declines of 8.2% and 9.1% respectively.
The number of persondays of work generated under the programme fell sharply by 21.5%, from 268.44 crore in 2024–25 to 210.73 crore in 2025–26. Average persondays per household dropped by 14.5%, from 50.18 to 42.92. The impact of this decline is evident in the sharp fall in the number of households completing the full 100 days of guaranteed employment, which declined by 40.5%, from 0.37 crore to 0.22 crore.
The contraction was geographically widespread. Fifteen out of 20 States recorded a fall in persondays during the year. West Bengal generated no persondays in either 2024–25 or 2025–26 and was excluded from the comparative analysis. Only four States registered an increase in persondays.
Tamil Nadu recorded the steepest decline at 42.8%, followed by Haryana at 41.7%, Himachal Pradesh at 41%, and Telangana at 40.2%. Jharkhand saw the highest increase in persondays at 12.9%, followed by Jammu and Kashmir at 7.3% and Odisha at 6.7%. Madhya Pradesh registered a marginal increase of 0.5%.
Wage expenditure under the scheme declined sharply by almost ₹11,570 crore, from ₹67,835 crore in 2024–25 to ₹56,265 crore in 2025–26. This fall occurred despite an increase in the average daily wage from ₹252.7 to ₹267, as the reduction in persondays outweighed the effect of higher wages.
LibTech estimates that if persondays had remained at 2024–25 levels, workers could have earned an additional ₹15,409 crore during the year. Average household income fell from ₹12,681 to ₹11,460. Had average persondays per household remained unchanged, average income would have been ₹13,398, implying a potential income loss of ₹1,938 per household.
Published - May 08, 2026 09:51 pm IST
employment
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Centre says it is ‘reworking procedures’ to resume MGNREGS in West Bengal Calcutta High Court directs Centre to resume MGNREGS work in Bengal Trinamool MPs demand white paper on MGNREGS funds for West Bengal Centre plans to rename MGNREGS 6 expert-approved ways to protect your mental health on busy workdays Forget 12-hr workdays AP reporters go behind the story in discussing coverage of the Sean FM Nirmala Sitharaman bats for wider NPS coverage US Media Outlets Criticise Pentagon's New Restrictions On Media Coverage Australian Open 2026 Coverage In India
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has once again stepped in to prop up Pakistan’s fragile economy, approving about $1.2 billion under two ongoing bailout programmes, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on external IMF loans. The approval includes about $1 billion under the
2 minutes ago
Watermelon deaths mystery deepens after rat poison bottle is foundA forensic report confirmed zinc phosphide poisoning in the Dokadia family deaths. Published on: May 09, 2026 10:38 AM IST By Vinay Dalvi Share via Copy link A day after a forensic report said that a lethal dose of zinc phosphide
2 minutes ago
Back in 2016, a movement began to encourage simple but powerful ideas like “getting real" and “tuning in." These weren’t just slogans; they served as reminders that human beings need to stay connected with their inner rhythm as much as their digital networks.Back in 2016
2 minutes ago
Jaspinder Narula recalls heartbreaking moment when Mona found out about Boney Kapoor’s affair with SrideviJaspinder Narula recalled that Mona Shourie Kapoor was devastated when she found out about Boney Kapoor's affair with Sridevi, and broke down outside a studio. May 9, 2026
2 minutes ago
India’s AI education strategy is ambitious and unusually comprehensive, reflecting a seriousness of intent that is rare in large public systems. Yet, for all its scale it currently addresses only one side of the problem. In just the past few weeks
2 minutes ago
Congress accuses BJP and DMK of obstructing TVK's secular government formation in Tamil Nadu. The party claims the DMK is willing to support AIADMK and prevent other secular parties from aiding TVK, amid reported INDIA bloc divisions and DMK seeking separate seating in Parliament
2 minutes ago
As West Bengal prepares for Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in as Chief Minister, uncertainty remains over whether Mamata Banerjee will attend the ceremony despite being invited by the BJP. As West Bengal prepares for a historic political transition with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu
2 minutes ago
Delhi CEO gives ₹10,000, 3-day break to employees to take parents on vacation to celebrate Mother’s DayThe Delhi CEO who announced paid leave for employees on Mother’s Day previously went viral for giving his team a 9-day Diwali break. Published on: May 09
2 minutes ago
As World Cocktail Day on May 13 approaches, it’s the perfect moment to revisit how we celebrate our favourite drinks. With mindful drinking continuing to shape modern lifestyles, cocktails are getting a cleaner, lighter upgrade. The focus is shifting from heavy syrups and sugar-loaded mixers to
2 minutes ago
West Bengal's long-standing political clashes with the central government over welfare schemes are set to change. With the BJP now in power in both the state and at the Centre, a new era of administrative integration is expected. Major schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PM-Kisan
2 minutes ago
Vijay’s sister Keerthana has expressed happiness amid speculations that the TVK chief is likely to take oath as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu soon. On Friday night, the actor-turned-politician’s sister was spotted by the media outside his Chennai residence when she expressed gratitude
2 minutes ago
Luis Suarez might not be done with Uruguay just yet. More than 18 months after stepping away from international football, the legendary striker has revealed he would be open to returning for one final World Cup run if called upon by Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa
2 minutes ago
Trump suffers devastating $400 million loss. Here's howThe parent company of President Donald Trump's Truth Social, the social media platform, showed a net loss of over $400 million in the first quarter. Published on: May 09, 2026 10:27 AM IST By Shuvrajit Das Biswas Share via Copy link The parent
2 minutes ago
As Mother’s Day dawns once again, it's time to recall, cherish and honour the person who brings humanity to life. Millions across the world pause on this day and take a moment to pay tribute to the quiet resilience, the boundless sacrifice, and unconditional love of their progenitor
2 minutes ago
The Pentagon has begun releasing new files on UFOs, saying members of the public can draw their own conclusions on “unidentified anomalous phenomena.” Besides the Pentagon, the effort is led by the White House, the Director of National Intelligence, the Energy Department, NASA and the FBI
2 minutes ago
Birds of prey in South Africa are in trouble – study analyses data from 16 years of road countsBirds of prey in South Africa are in trouble – study analyses data from 16 years of road counts Published on: May 09, 2026 10:44 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Cape Town
2 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.MacBook Air M5 gets a big price cut: This Amazon Summer Sale deal makes it even easier to recommendMacBook Air M5, M4 and MacBook Neo are all discounted right now
2 minutes ago
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who emerged as one of the biggest winners of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections after securing both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, has declared total assets worth Rs 85.87 lakh in his election affidavit. Adkikari is set to take oath as West Bengal Chief Minister
2 minutes ago
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) witnessed a sharp contraction in its scale and reach in 2025–26, according to a report on the final operational year of the scheme introduced by the Congress-led UPA era
2 minutes ago
Free India elected to protect and uphold the right to religious conscience. These incorporated the freedoms to choose, practice and propagate one’s religious faith. This, after searching and sometimes bitter debates in India’s constituent assembly in the shadow of cataclysmic religious riots
2 minutes ago
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has announced the West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2026. The overall pass percentage reached 86.83 per cent, and the competition among the toppers was extremely close. The pass rate too has increased from last year when 86
2 minutes ago
Police in Lucknow arrested four members of an interstate gang accused of creating and selling fake IPL tickets outside Ekana Cricket Stadium using ChatGPT and graphic design software. According to police, the gang sourced images of original IPL tickets from social media and used CorelDRAW and
2 minutes ago
Banking stocks to buy: The Reserve Bank of India’s proposed Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework could mark one of the biggest structural shifts for the country’s banking sector in recent years, with experts believing the move may separate stronger lenders from weaker ones over time
2 minutes ago
An Indian politician once seen as a protege of a long-serving chief minister of West Bengal state is set to replace her. Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was a close aide of outgoing chief minister Mamata Banerjee until their bitter falling out a few years ago
2 minutes ago
Aaron Rai takes lead at Myrtle Beach ClassicAaron Rai takes lead at Myrtle Beach Classic Published on: May 09, 2026 9:48 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Myrtle Beach , Aaron Rai found four birdies on his second nine in his card of 4-under 67 to take a one-shot lead over Presidents Cup captain Brandt
2 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Before buying a printer, understand these important differences between inkjet and laser printersInkjet and laser printers both have their own strengths
2 minutes ago
US senators are set to consider long-awaited legislation that would create a next week, potentially ending a deadlock over the bill that pitted crypto companies against US banks.The bill, dubbed the , would, if signed into law, clarify ' jurisdiction over the burgeoning sector
2 minutes ago
