💼 Jobs, business & workers · Ministry of Rural Development
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA / NREGA)
A legal right to paid work in villages.
What you get
At least 100 days of paid work a year for every rural household
🔗 Direct official links
These open the government website in a new tab. Applying there is free; never pay anyone for a form.
✅ Benefits
- Guaranteed wage employment of at least 100 days per household per year.
- Work within 5 km of home; wages paid into your bank / post office account.
- If work isn't given within 15 days of asking, you are entitled to an unemployment allowance.
👤 Who can apply
- Adult members of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
📄 Documents needed
- Job card (from the gram panchayat)
- Aadhaar
- Bank or post office account
- Photo
📝 How to apply
- Apply to the gram panchayat for a job card (free, issued within 15 days).
- Submit a written or oral request for work and take a dated receipt.
- Work is given within 15 days; check your job card and payments on nrega.nic.in.
Benefits in detail
- Guaranteed wage employment of at least 100 days per household per year.
- Work within 5 km of home; wages paid into your bank / post office account.
- If work isn't given within 15 days of asking, you are entitled to an unemployment allowance.
- At least one-third of workers should be women; equal wages for men and women.
Who can apply
- Adult members of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
Documents needed
- Job card (from the gram panchayat)
- Aadhaar
- Bank or post office account
- Photo
How to apply, step by step
- Apply to the gram panchayat for a job card (free, issued within 15 days).
- Submit a written or oral request for work and take a dated receipt.
- Work is given within 15 days; check your job card and payments on nrega.nic.in.
Last checked against the official website: 26 Sept 2026
Amounts and rules can change. The official website is always final. YojanaHelper is an independent guide, not a government website.
Spotted outdated or wrong information? Report it. It helps everyone.
You may also be eligible for
💼 Jobs, business & workers · e-Shram card
e-Shram (National Database of Unorganised Workers)
✅ Free e-Shram card (UAN) + accident insurance cover
Free registration for unorganised workers to reach government welfare schemes.
See details →
💼 Jobs, business & workers · PM SVANidhi
PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi
✅ Collateral-free loans in three steps, up to ₹50,000
Small working-capital loans for street vendors, with interest help and digital cashback.
See details →
💼 Jobs, business & workers · Mudra loan
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
✅ Business loan up to ₹20 lakh without collateral
Loans without collateral to start or grow a small business.
See details →
💼 Jobs, business & workers
Stand-Up India
✅ Loan of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for a new enterprise
Bank loans for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs starting a new business.
See details →