The rural employment generation program launched by the government experienced a drastic decline of nearly 50% in its initial month, with person-days generated falling to 7.67 crore in July from 15.33 crore in the same period last year. This steep decline occurred just weeks after replacing the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, from July 1. The government had projected VB-G RAM G as an upgraded version of MGNREGS, increasing the annual employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days while also enhancing wages. However, the first month's data has raised questions about the scheme's implementation and job creation effectiveness. Despite a higher annual outlay of Rs 1.52 lakh crore for 2025-26 compared to MGNREGS' budgeted amount, the recent figures indicate a significant slowdown in rural job generation under VB-G RAM G. The government has not yet provided an explanation for this nearly 50% decline in person-days generated during the first full month of the scheme. It remains unclear whether this sharp drop is linked to the transition from MGNREGS or reflects a broader slowdown in rural job creation, as the employment figures for subsequent months will provide further insight. The government initiated VB-G RAM G with promises of higher wages, expanded employment guarantee, and a stronger focus on creating productive rural assets, but the first month's data has brought the scheme's performance into question.