GOVERNANCE (DECEMBER 2025)

1. Rural Development & Employment

The G-RAM-G Act (Overhauling MGNREGA)

• The Trigger: Parliament enacted the Viksit Bharat Guaranteed Rural Asset Management & Growth (G-RAM-G) Act, 2025, replacing the 20-year-old MGNREGA framework.
• Key Changes: * Quantum: Increased work guarantee from 100 to 125 days.
  • Quality: 75% of projects must now create "durable, income-generating assets" (e.g., solar micro-grids, food processing units).
• Static Roots:
  • DPSP: Article 41 (Right to Work) and Article 43 (Living wage).
  • Evolution: Transition from "Demand-driven labor" (relief) to "Supply-side asset creation" (development).
• Mains Perspective:
  • Economic Impact: Curbs rural-to-urban migration by providing semi-skilled opportunities.
  • Climate Integration: Linked with the Green Credits Programme; Panchayats earn credits for afforestation.
• Prelims Snippet: Introduces the "National Rural Infrastructure Stack", a unified digital ledger of all village assets.

2. Administrative Reforms & Digital Tools

Good Governance Day & Mission Karmayogi 2.0

• The Trigger: On Dec 25 (Good Governance Day), the government launched iGOT AI Sarthi and e-HRMS 2.0.
• Tools Launched:
  • iGOT AI Sarthi: An AI tutor providing real-time policy guidance to civil servants (built on Bhashini AI).
  • e-HRMS 2.0: A seamless, paperless portal for digital service records.
• Static Roots: * Mission Karmayogi (NPCSCB): Transitioning bureaucracy from "Rule-based" to "Role-based."
  • Nodal Agency: DARPG (Dept. of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances).
• Mains Perspective: * Accountability: AI reduces "Administrative Discretion," thereby curbing corruption.
  • The Challenge: Bridging the "Digital Divide" between senior leadership and tech-native new recruits.
• Prelims Snippet: December 25 marks the conclusion of "Sushasan Saptah" (Good Governance Week).

3. Social Inclusion & Accessibility

Sugamya Bharat 2.0 (Accessible India Campaign)

• The Trigger: The Ministry of Social Justice launched Sugamya Bharat 2.0, expanding the focus from physical ramps to "Digital Accessibility."
• Static Roots:
  • Constitutional: Article 14 (Equality) and Article 15 (Non-discrimination).
  • Legal: RPwD Act, 2016 (covers 21 types of disabilities).
  • International: Alignment with the UNCRPD.
• Forward Linkages: * Mandate: All govt portals and private banking apps must be "Screen-Reader Friendly" by mid-2026.
  • UDID Card: Targeting 100% saturation for seamless access to health and travel benefits.
• Mains Perspective: Accessibility is a prerequisite for dignity. Without it, rights remain theoretical.
• Prelims Snippet: The Sugamya Bharat App allows crowdsourced reporting of inaccessible public places.

4. Urban Local Bodies & Fiscal Discipline

NULB Reform Pact (Urban Governance)

• The Trigger: The National Urban Local Bodies (NULB) Reform Pact was signed, linking Central grants to city performance.
• Performance Metrics:
  • Property Tax Saturation: Cities must expand their tax base.
  • Transparency: Mandatory publishing of Audited Annual Accounts.
• Static Roots:
  • 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992): The foundation for Municipalities.
  • Article 243W: Powers and responsibilities of ULBs.
  • Finance Commission: Implementation of 16th FC recommendations on performance-based grants.
• Mains Perspective: * Financial Autonomy: Aims to prepare the top 50 cities to issue Municipal Bonds and raise funds from stock markets.
  • The "Third Tier" Problem: Addressing functional overlaps between Mayors and parastatal bodies (like Development Authorities).
• Prelims Snippet: Introduces the "City Credit Rating Framework" for all municipal corporations.