MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) is a lifeline for millions of rural households in India. One of the most common and confusing questions people ask is:
“If my family has 5 adult members, do we get 100 days each or 100 days total?”
Let’s clear this up once and for all.
What Does MGNREGA Guarantee?
Under the law, every rural household is entitled to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year. This work is provided to adult members of the family who are willing to do unskilled manual labour.
📌 Key Point: The 100 days is not per person. It is per household.
What is a Household under MGNREGA?
A household means a group of individuals:
- Related by blood, marriage, or adoption,
- Normally living together, and
- Sharing common meals.
So, if a family has 5 adults, they all can register and work under MGNREGA, but the total number of days allotted to the family will still be 100.
Example to Understand Better:
Suppose your family has 5 adult members (say, parents and 3 adult children), and all are registered on the same Job Card.
| Name | Days Worked |
|---|---|
| Ram (Father) | 30 Days |
| Sita (Mother) | 20 Days |
| Ravi (Son) | 25 Days |
| Rani (Daughter) | 15 Days |
| Mohan (Son) | 10 Days |
| Total | 100 Days |
After this, the family cannot claim more MGNREGA work in that financial year, even if all members haven’t worked 100 days individually.
Why Do People Get Confused?
Many believe that each adult gets 100 days, especially when they see 4-5 names on a Job Card. But that is not true. The act guarantees work per household, not per person.
This confusion leads to:
- Unnecessary arguments at the panchayat office
- Disappointment or false expectations
- Misinformation in rural communities
What If I Want More Than 100 Days?
In some special cases, additional days are allowed:
- 150 days: In special cases, MGNREGA allows up to 150 days of work per household, especially in drought-affected regions or under state schemes for SC/ST or vulnerable groups.
- 200 days: In very rare cases (disabled persons, special schemes)
You should check with your local Gram Panchayat or official MGNREGA website to see if your village or state offers this.
How to Apply for an MGNREGA Job Card?
If your household wants to benefit from the MGNREGA scheme, follow these steps to apply for a Job Card:
- Visit your local Gram Panchayat office
Go to your village’s Gram Panchayat or Block Development Office (BDO). - Submit a written application
You can write on plain paper or fill out a standard form. Include:- Name of the head of the family
- Names of all adult family members willing to work
- Attach the necessary documents
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory for each adult member)
- Voter ID or any address proof
- Passport-size photos (2 per adult, if asked)
- Add names of all adult family members
Each adult (18 years and above) who wants to work under MGNREGA must be listed. - Get your Job Card issued within 15 days
As per MGNREGA rules, the Job Card should be issued free of cost within 15 days of application. - Demand work from the Panchayat
You can request employment:- In writing (submit a work demand form)
- Or digitally (via the official MGNREGA app or website in some states)
📢 Pro Tip: Always collect an acknowledgement receipt or application number when you apply, so you can follow up later if there’s a delay.
Final Thoughts
The MGNREGA scheme is a strong support for rural households, but understanding the rule of 100 days per household is very important. If you have multiple adults in your family, you can all work, but the combined days must not exceed 100 in one year.
Let’s spread the correct information and help every family make the best use of this employment guarantee.
Share This Article:
If you found this helpful, share it with others in your village or WhatsApp groups. A little awareness can go a long way!
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FAQs
Q1. Do all adults in a family get 100 days each under MGNREGA?
No, the 100 days of employment is for the entire household, not per individual.
Q2. What happens if more than one person from the same family works?
Each member can work, but their total combined days must not exceed 100 for the financial year.
Q3. Can a household get more than 100 days in a year?
Yes, in some cases like drought-prone areas or SC/ST households, some states offer 150 to 200 days of work. Check with your local panchayat.
Q4. How is a “household” defined under MGNREGA?
A household includes people related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together and sharing meals.
Q5. Can we apply for multiple Job Cards for the same family?
No, only one Job Card per household is allowed. Applying for more is considered misuse.
Q6. What if we worked only 60 days — can we claim more later?
Yes, if your household has not completed 100 days, you can demand more work until the limit is reached in that financial year.
Q7. How can I check how many days my family has worked?
You can check work records using your Job Card number on the official MGNREGA portal or ask your local panchayat.
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