---
title: "MGNREGA — Definition & Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "MGNREGA is a 2005 Indian law that guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year for rural households, ensuring livelihood security."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/mgnrega"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- MGNREGA is a 2005 Indian law guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household whose adults volunteer for unskilled manual work.
- How does MGNREGA differ from earlier rural employment schemes?
- What is the role of the social audit under MGNREGA?
- What provisions ensure gender inclusion in MGNREGA?
- Why is MGNREGA described as a counter-cyclical safety net?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

MGNREGA is a 2005 Indian law guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household whose adults volunteer for unskilled manual work.

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## Timeline

1. 7 September 2005

   The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was enacted on and brought into force in phases from 2 February 2006, originally as the…

2. 2 February 2006

   The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was enacted on 7 September 2005 and brought into force in phases from , originally as th…

3. 1 April 2008

   Its stated objective is to enhance livelihood security by guaranteeing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whos…

4. 1 January 2024

   Reforms have included the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app for geo-tagged attendance, the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) made largely mandat…

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Example

During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an additional ₹40,000 crore for MGNREGA to absorb migrant workers who had returned to their villages.

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