Work demanded by households under the scheme rose 23.8% to 12.5 million in August from 10.1 million in July, according to preliminary data compiled by the rural development ministry.
The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, which came into effect in July, replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Also read: New rural job scheme VB-G RAM-G pays 10% more than MGNREGA
In August, 15.4 million people sought work under VB-G RAM G compared with 12.5 million in July.
Among states, Andhra Pradesh reported the highest number of job-seekers under the scheme at 3 million, followed by Tamil Nadu (2 million), Rajasthan (1.3 million), Karnataka (1.3 million) and Uttar Pradesh (1 million).
The new law seeks to strengthen rural livelihoods, improve the quality of public assets and bring greater technology-driven implementation to the employment guarantee programme.
It raised the guaranteed days of employment to 125 a year from 100. The minimum daily wage is ₹300.