The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aims to enhance livelihood security in rural India by guaranteeing at least 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households willing to perform unskilled manual work. The scheme emphasizes inclusion, with at least one-third of beneficiaries being women, and mandates timely wage payments with legal entitlements for unemployment allowances if work is not provided within 15 days of demand. MGNREGA supports sustainable rural development through asset creation such as water conservation, drought proofing, irrigation, and rural infrastructure. The Act strengthens decentralized planning through Panchayati Raj Institutions and encourages transparency via social audits.
Click to View MoreKarnataka’s Jala Sanjeevini programme tackles drought by combining GIS mapping with community inputs through a mobile app. Using MGNREGA funds, it builds targeted water structures that recharge groundwater, improve soil moisture, and strengthen rural resilience—offering a scalable conservation model.
Click to View MoreThe Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) revitalizes grassroots democracy by simulating Gram Sabha proceedings in schools. It offers experiential learning aligned with NEP 2020, combats youth apathy, nurtures leadership, and builds awareness of civic responsibilities, promoting inclusive, transparent, and participatory rural governance for future citizens.
Click to View MoreAgricultural drones are transforming farming in India by improving efficiency, reducing labor, and enhancing safety. They perform tasks like spraying, seeding, monitoring crops, and mapping fields, making agriculture more precise and sustainable. While they offer significant benefits, challenges such as high costs, technical training, and potential job displacement remain. Government initiatives are promoting adoption, aiming to modernize farming and boost productivity.
Click to View MoreThe Supreme Court’s order restoring MGNREGS funding to West Bengal reinforces the right to work and judicial oversight in welfare delivery. Arising from fiscal federalism tensions, it stresses the need for stronger social audits and cooperative Centre-State relations to safeguard rural livelihoods and accountability.
Click to View MoreThe Jal Jeevan Mission has raised rural tap water access from 17% in 2019 to over 81% by October 2025, saving 5.5 crore hours daily and averting 4 lakh deaths. Through community participation and digital monitoring, it strengthens sustainability, water quality, and rural empowerment nationwide.
Click to View MoreLand conversion, driven by rising land prices, large-scale acquisitions, and environmental projects, threatens farmers’ access to land and global food security. This issue is worsened by population growth, industrial agriculture, and shifts in land use.
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The National Initiative on Water Security under MGNREGA mandates fund allocation by groundwater stress, institutionalizing rainwater harvesting and recharge. It provides rural employment, durable assets, women’s empowerment, climate resilience, and mission synergy, fostering sustainable livelihoods and ensuring a water-secure future for India.
Click to View MoreIndia showcases its food processing strength at World Food India 2025, leveraging agriculture to add value, create rural jobs, and attract global investment. Adopting technology, driving innovation, and reducing waste will overcome supply chain challenges and achieve global leadership.
Click to View MoreAgriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing 16% to the GDP and supporting more than 46% of the workforce. It is crucial for ensuring food security, generating employment, and driving rural development. While facing challenges like climate change and fragmented land holdings, government policies and technological innovations are empowering the sector.
Click to View MoreHomestay tourism is emerging as an effective tool of inclusive growth, combining cultural exchange with economic opportunity. Driven by policy support from NITI Aayog and state governments, the sector has the potential to transform rural areas by creating local livelihoods, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
Click to View MoreThe Indian government has documented the cultural heritage of over 4.7 lakh villages under the 'Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar' initiative, aiming to create a comprehensive map of these villages, promoting cultural tourism and rural economies.
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