How to register for NREGA job card?
The Central Government, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), guarantees eligible rural workers a minimum of 100 days of wage employment per financial year. This scheme aims to enhance livelihood security by providing unskilled manual work to individuals in rural areas. The daily wages offered under this program vary across states, typically ranging up to Rs 350 per day, with the rate determined by local economic factors and cost-of-living variations.
Workers employed through MGNREGA engage in a variety of public works projects, such as the construction of rural infrastructure, water conservation, and land development, contributing to the overall development of rural communities while ensuring a safety net for the most vulnerable sections of society. The program also promotes gender equality, as it mandates that at least one-third of the beneficiaries be women.
State-wise NREGA wage list 2024
| Name of state/Union territory | Wage rate per day for FY25 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Rs 300 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Rs 234 |
| Assam | Rs 249 |
| Bihar | Rs 245 |
| Chhattisgarh | Rs 244 |
| Goa | Rs 356 |
| Gujarat | Rs 280 |
| Haryana | Rs 374 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Non-scheduled areas – Rs 236Scheduled areas – Rs 295 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Rs 259 |
| Ladakh | Rs 259 |
| Jharkhand | Rs 245 |
| Karnataka | Rs 349 |
| Kerala | Rs 346 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Rs 243 |
| Maharashtra | Rs 297 |
| Manipur | Rs 272 |
| Meghalaya | Rs 254 |
| Mizoram | Rs 266 |
| Nagaland | Rs 234 |
| Odisha | Rs 254 |
| Punjab | Rs 322 |
| Rajasthan | Rs 266 |
| SikkimSikkim(Three Gram Panchayats named Gnathang, Lachung and Lachen | Rs 249 Rs 374 |
| Tamil Nadu | Rs 319 |
| Telangana | Rs 300 |
| Tripura | Rs 242 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rs 237 |
| Uttarakhand | Rs 237 |
| West Bengal | Rs 250 |
| Andaman and Nicobar | Andaman District – Rs 329Nicobar District – Rs 347 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Rs 324 |
| Lakshadweep | Rs 315 |
| Puducherry | Rs 319 |
Source: Ministry of Rural Development
Who can apply for NREGA registration?
To apply for employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), individuals must first complete the NREGA registration process. Any household with adult members interested in securing unskilled labor through this scheme is eligible to apply. The registration process is open year-round, ensuring that even families who frequently migrate have the opportunity to benefit from the scheme without time restrictions. By providing continuous access to registration, the scheme aims to accommodate the diverse needs of rural households, allowing them to seek employment whenever necessary. Applicants can visit the local Gram Panchayat or the designated MGNREGA office to submit their application. Once registered, households become eligible for a variety of rural employment opportunities, ensuring both economic support and community development.
How to apply for NREGA registration?
To apply for a NREGA job card in 2023, an applicant must follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Visit your Gram Panchayat Office
Start by visiting the nearest gram panchayat office in your village or rural area. The gram panchayat serves as the local authority responsible for handling NREGA applications.
Step 2: Register for the NREGA Job Card
You can request a NREGA job card by either verbally asking for it or by filling out a prescribed application form, which can be obtained directly from the gram panchayat office. After filling the form with the necessary details such as your name, address, and family details, submit it to the office for further processing. If you prefer, you can download the application form from the official NREGA website and fill it in advance to save time during your visit.
Step 3: Verification of Details
Once the form is submitted, the gram panchayat officials will verify the information provided. This may include checking your residential status and other eligibility criteria. The verification process ensures that only eligible rural households receive the NREGA job card.
Step 4: Issuance of the NREGA Job Card
After successful verification, you will be issued a NREGA job card. This card will allow you to access employment opportunities under the NREGA scheme and entitles you to a minimum of 100 days of wage employment per financial year.
Since the NREGA scheme is designed for rural households, the registration process is predominantly offline, requiring a visit to the gram panchayat. However, for convenience, the prescribed application form is available for download online, enabling applicants to fill it in advance before submitting it in person.
By obtaining a NREGA job card, rural individuals and families can secure their right to employment under this important social welfare program, aimed at providing financial security and promoting rural development through guaranteed wage employment.
NREGA job card registration form English
NREGA job card registration from sample 2
NREGA Hindi registration form
NREGA job card sample
Documents needed for NREGA registration
The following documents can be submitted as valid proof of identity and address for registering for an NREGA job card:
- Aadhaar Card – Serves as a primary proof of both identity and address, widely accepted for government schemes.
- Voter ID Card – A recognized document confirming the applicant’s citizenship and address within the country.
- PAN Card – Used to establish the individual’s identity for financial purposes and tax-related activities.
- Ration Card – A household document that also verifies the applicant’s residential address.
- Bank Passbook – Serves as proof of address, showing current and active bank account information.
- Passport-size Photographs – Recent photographs of the applicant, typically required for official documentation purposes.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that the documents submitted are up-to-date and accurate to avoid delays in the registration process. It is advisable to carry both original documents and photocopies for verification purposes when applying.
Can NREGA registration be done online?
No, NREGA registration cannot be completed online. Workers who wish to enroll in this Central Government scheme must apply in person at the local Gram Panchayat office. The process requires individuals to fill out a physical application form, provide necessary identification documents, and submit it directly to the office. The Gram Panchayat officials then verify the details provided by the applicant, after which they are issued a job card. This job card is essential for workers to be eligible to seek employment under NREGA. The in-person registration process ensures that proper verification and record-keeping are maintained, safeguarding against any fraudulent enrollments.
What happens after NREGA registration is complete?
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, eligible rural households in India are issued a NREGA job card, which serves as proof of their entitlement to employment. This job card is a critical document that not only records the work done by the cardholder but also enables them to demand work from the government. Once a household obtains its NREGA job card, members can request up to 100 days of wage employment in a financial year, ensuring a source of livelihood. The scheme is designed to provide employment opportunities within 15 days of the demand being made. Additionally, it promotes transparency by ensuring timely payments and maintaining detailed records of the work and wages, all aimed at improving the economic security of rural households and reducing poverty in rural areas.
How to get benefits of NREGA scheme?
To register for NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), you can reach out to various stakeholders involved in the implementation of this central government scheme. These entities play key roles at different levels to ensure effective execution and facilitation of the program. Here are the primary stakeholders you can contact:
- Gram Sabha: The village-level assembly, where community decisions are made, plays a crucial role in identifying eligible households and overseeing local projects under NREGA.
- Three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions: Particularly the Gram Panchayats, which are responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring NREGA works at the village level. They serve as the first point of contact for registration and employment applications.
- Programme Officer at the Block Level: This officer coordinates NREGA activities within a specific block (subdivision of a district), ensuring that requests for work are processed and projects are carried out efficiently.
- District Programme Coordinator: Typically the district-level authority, often the District Collector or Chief Development Officer, is responsible for the overall administration, supervision, and management of NREGA implementation across the district.
- State Government: The state government oversees the allocation of funds, approves plans, and monitors the scheme’s progress, ensuring that it is implemented in line with central guidelines.
- Ministry of Rural Development: At the central level, the Ministry of Rural Development formulates policy guidelines, allocates funds, and monitors the scheme’s overall progress across the country.
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups also participate by assisting people in understanding their rights under NREGA, facilitating grievance redressal, and ensuring transparency in its implementation.
- Line Departments: Various line departments, such as those related to agriculture, irrigation, and forestry, collaborate with NREGA projects to ensure the work undertaken aligns with local development goals.
- Convergence Departments: Departments responsible for integrating NREGA with other government schemes (such as watershed development, afforestation, and rural infrastructure) to optimize resources and increase the impact of the work done under NREGA.
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs): In many areas, SHGs, particularly women-led groups, assist in mobilizing rural workers, spreading awareness about the scheme, and ensuring that marginalized communities can participate and benefit from NREGA.
These stakeholders work together at various levels to ensure that NREGA provides rural employment opportunities and enhances local infrastructure and development. You can approach any of these entities based on your location and the stage of the registration process.
FAQs
What is the mandate of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)?
The mandate of MGNREGA is to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment, in a financial year, to every rural household where adults can do unskilled manual work.
What is the time limit for issuing NREGA job cards if the application is correct?
NREGA job cards are issued to eligible households, within a fortnight after the verification is done on finding out the eligibility of a household.
What is the procedure to register for employment under NREGA?
Adults who are looking to work as unskilled wage workers under MGNREGA may apply for registration. The application may be given on prescribed form, or plain paper to the local gram panchayat office. Registration is open throughout the year at the office to give maximum opportunity to families that migrate.
What is the frequency of NREGA job card registration?
NREGA job card registration is done throughout the year.
Who can apply for NREGA registration?
Any adult member of a household can apply for registration.
Can I register for NREGA online?
No, NREGA registration is done offline at the gram panchayat office through the year.
Is applying mandatory to get work under NREGA?
No, eligible households can also apply for work under NREGA by demanding it orally.
Is there any fee for NREGA registration?
No, there is no fee for NREGA registration.
What documents are required for NREGA registration?
For NREGA registration, proof of identity like Aadhaar card, Voter ID or Ration Card), proof of address like electricity bill, water bill or any other valid document), bank account details and a passport-sized photograph is needed.
Is there an age limit for NREGA registration?
Any adult member of a rural household, including senior citizens, can register for NREGA.
Do I need to have an Aadhaar card to register for NREGA?
Yes, Aadhaar card is not needed for NREGA registration.
How long does it take for NREGA registration to be approved?
The approval time may vary, depending on the verification process and workload of the authorities.
An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University.