Archive · 17 Nov 2025
27 Lakh MGNREGS Workers Deleted Amidst e-KYC Mandate
A group of experts found that around 27 lakh workers were removed from a government job program called MGNREGS between October and November.
This happened when the government made it mandatory for workers to use a new digital ID check called e-KYC to get paid.
The report says this is unusual because usually, more people are added to the list.
However, the government says that removing people from the list is something that states do normally and that the new digital checks are not the direct reason for these deletions.
Lib Tech India report claims 27 lakh MGNREGS workers deleted between Oct 10 and Nov 14, 2025
This period coincides with mandatory e-KYC implementation and ABPS enforcement
Net workers lost in the period: approximately 17 lakh
Active workers showing decrease: approximately 6 lakh
Rural Development Ministry disputes direct link between deletions and e-KYC
- Who
- Lib Tech India (reporting), Rural Development Ministry (responding)
- What
- Significant deletion of MGNREGS workers
- When
- Between October 10 and November 14, 2025
- Where
- Across India
- Why
- Report suggests link to e-KYC mandate; ministry disputes this
Rural Development Ministry Official's Stance
Lib Tech India Report's Stance
Causation of Worker Deletions
Rural Development Ministry Official's Stance
An official stated that e-KYC cannot be directly linked with card deletions and that job cards cannot be deleted solely because a worker is ineligible for APBS or e-KYC.
Lib Tech India Report's Stance
The report highlights a significant spike in MGNREGS worker deletions that coincided with the mandatory e-KYC process and the enforcement of the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS).
Nature of Job Card Deletions
Rural Development Ministry Official's Stance
Deletion of job cards is a routine exercise conducted by states and Union Territories.
Lib Tech India Report's Stance
The report terms the large volume of deletions within a single month as 'highly unusual' and a 'dramatic reversal' of the previous trend of net additions.
- Reported MGNREGS worker deletions
- 27 lakh
- Period of deletions
- October 10 to November 14, 2025
- Net workers lost in the period
- Approximately 17 lakh
- Active workers showing decrease
- Approximately 6 lakh
- Mandatory e-KYC implementation
- November 1, 2025
- Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) made mandatory
- January 1, 2024
- Total MGNREGS workers (as per website)
- 27,64,56,185
- Active MGNREGS workers (as per website)
- 12,17,48,395
Sources
27 lakh MGNREGA workers deleted between October 10 and November 14: Report
Systematic attempt to end MGNREGA: Cong on name deletions
Congress slams govt over 27 lakh MGNREGA deletions, calls it ‘systematic attempt to end scheme’
Congress alleges systematic throttling of MGNREGA as 27 lakh beneficiaries deleted
27 lakh MGNREGS workers deleted from Oct 10 to Nov 14, says report
