MGNREGA / NREGA – 100-Day Work Guarantee Guide
What is MGNREGA?
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees 100 days of paid work per year to every rural household in India. Work must be provided within 15 days of demanding it — if not, you are entitled to an unemployment allowance.
Key Rights Under MGNREGA
- Right to demand work: Any adult member of a rural household can demand work
- 15-day work guarantee: Work must be provided within 15 days of demand
- Work within 5 km: Work must be provided within 5 km of your village (if further, 10% extra wages)
- Unemployment allowance: If work is not given in 15 days, you get paid anyway (1/4 of wage rate for first 30 days, 1/2 thereafter)
- Equal wages: Same wage for men and women
- Weekly payments: Wages must be paid within 15 days of work completion
- Creche facility: For worksites with 5+ children below 6 years
Current Wage Rates (2025–26)
MGNREGA wages are fixed by each state government. They range from approximately ₹220 to ₹370 per day depending on the state. Check the current rate at nregs.nic.in.
How to Apply for a Job Card
Step 1: Apply at Your Gram Panchayat
Visit your Gram Panchayat office with:
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory from 2022)
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details
- Passport size photograph
- Proof of residence (if needed)
The application is free. The Gram Panchayat must:
- Acknowledge your application immediately
- Issue a Job Card within 15 days
Step 2: Receive Your Job Card
The Job Card is a document with:
- Your family's photo
- Names of all eligible adults
- A unique Job Card number
Keep your Job Card — it is your proof of registration.
How to Demand Work
Once you have a Job Card:
- Submit a written application (even a plain paper) to the Gram Panchayat or Rozgar Sahayak
- State how many days of work you want and the date from which work is needed
- The Gram Panchayat must provide work within 15 days
- If they fail to provide work, you are entitled to unemployment allowance — demand it in writing
Checking Job Card and Payments Online
- Website: nregs.nic.in
- Search by state → district → block → panchayat → your name
- View all work demanded, allocated, completed, and payments made
- UMANG App: Search "MGNREGA" → View Job Card, check payment status
If Wages Are Delayed
MGNREGA wages must be paid within 15 days of the muster roll being signed. If delayed:
- Workers are entitled to compensation of 0.05% of unpaid wages per day of delay
- File a written complaint with the Programme Officer (Block level)
- Escalate to the District Programme Coordinator if unresolved
Social Audit — Your Watchdog Tool
Social Audits are public hearings held at the Gram Sabha where MGNREGA works are scrutinized. You can:
- Demand information about which works were done and at what cost
- Raise complaints about ghost workers, missing payments, or poor quality work
- The Gram Sabha minutes are your official record
Helpline
MGNREGA Helpline: 1800-345-22244 (Toll Free) Portal: nregs.nic.in