57 lakh active workers yet to complete e-KYC for new rural job scheme

The e-KYC verification rate of registered workers under the new rural employment scheme, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-GRAM G], stands at 71% two months after its nationwide rollout. The government had earlier clarified that only workers who completed e-KYC verification under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) would be eligible for work under the new scheme.

Ahead of the launch, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that existing e-KYC-verified job cards will remain valid until the issuance of the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards, ensuring uninterrupted access to employment and timely payment of wages.

While the e-KYC verification rate for active workers — those who availed of work at least once in the past three years — is significantly higher at 94.88%, this still leaves about 57 lakh workers unverified. The Ministry has allowed exceptions in a few cases where job cards have not undergone e-KYC, reiterating that no eligible worker will be left behind. However, e-KYC verification remains a condition for availing of work under VB-GRAM G.

The number of unverified active workers assumes greater significance when viewed against the employment generation figures for July. Official data as of August 9, 2026, show that only 7.67 crore person-days were generated under VB-GRAM G in July 2026 — a 49.94% decline compared to the 15.33 crore person-days generated under MGNREGS in the same month last year. A person-day represents the amount of work done by one person in a single working day.

Missed deadlines have compounded concerns. At a meeting on January 30, the Rural Development Ministry directed States to complete e-KYC verification of all remaining active workers within a week as part of the transition to VB-GRAM G. This was revealed in an RTI application filed by Chakradhar Buddha of the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI). On February 12, States were again instructed to complete the exercise, this time by the end of February. Nearly seven months later, the latest data show the target was not met.

The delay has raised questions about whether workers, particularly those yet to be e-KYC verified, could face difficulties accessing work under the new scheme. The gap between the Ministry's deadlines and the pace of implementation on the ground remains a concern.

Among the four States with the largest MGNREGS workforces, Tamil Nadu has recorded the highest e-KYC rates in both categories — 99.32% among active workers and 84.89% among all registered workers. Rajasthan follows with 95.66% and 69.45%, respectively. Uttar Pradesh reported 94.21% among active workers and 58.89% among all registered workers, while Andhra Pradesh has rates of 90.4% and 82.32%.

West Bengal reported e-KYC rates of 97.3% among active workers and 85.49% among all registered workers. Bihar, with 89.19% among active workers and 58.05% among all registered workers, is among the lowest for the latter category among large States.