Tamil Nadu accounted for the highest demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in October, even as overall demand across the country declined from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Rural Development.
The southern state, known for its diversified industrial base, contributed 22 per cent of total national demand with 2.88 million individuals seeking work. It was followed by Uttar Pradesh with 1.16 million workers, or about 9 per cent of the national total. Odisha (7.6 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (6.9 per cent), and Maharashtra (6.8 per cent) were the other major contributors.
Across India, about 12.82 million people sought employment under MGNREGS in October—a decline of 35.5 per cent from 19.89 million in the same month last year. The fall in demand reflects improving labour absorption in agriculture and non-farm sectors, aided by increased rural economic activity.
Tamil Nadu’s high participation underscores its strong rural outreach and efficient scheme implementation, which have consistently placed it among the top-performing states in MGNREGS utilisation.
Seasonal variations, including the post-monsoon agricultural cycle and rising demand for labour in construction and allied sectors, have also influenced participation levels across states.
Launched in 2006, MGNREGS provides up to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The scheme remains a key component of India’s rural safety net, cushioning households against income volatility and seasonal unemployment. |
