The Central Government has launched a significant enhancement for individuals participating in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The process of verifying and renewing job cards, which used to be time-consuming, can now be accomplished in just one minute using the e-KYC feature on the NMMS mobile application.

Key Features of the New MGNREGA Job Card Verification

This innovative system aims to boost transparency, eradicate fraudulent job cards, and guarantee that every eligible worker receives their wages promptly. With 99.67% of active MGNREGA workers already linked to Aadhaar, the verification process has transitioned to a fully digital and secure format.

What’s New in MGNREGA Job Card Verification?

• Mandatory e-KYC for job card verification




• Digital verification and renewal via the NMMS App




• Focus on transparency, real-time verification, and fraud prevention




• Quick confirmation ensures timely wage payments to registered workers

The Rural Development Ministry has announced that this method will serve as the primary verification approach nationwide.

Implementation of the New System

MGNREGA activities cover approximately 2.69 lakh gram panchayats across the country. The e-KYC system will be implemented in all these areas to ensure that no verification is left pending, allowing every worker to receive their benefits without interruption.

Additionally, job cards will be renewed every five years, with states instructed to utilize the NMMS app’s integrated KYC feature to streamline the process.

Step-by-Step Guide to the 1-Minute e-KYC Process

Since nearly all workers are linked to Aadhaar, verification can be achieved through a live facial recognition check. Here’s how it works:

A village-level employee (such as an assistant, worksite supervisor, mate, or Panchayat official) initiates the e-KYC process using the NMMS mobile app.

A live photo of the worker is taken through the app.

The image is immediately compared with Aadhaar records.

If the facial recognition is successful, verification is completed within 60 seconds.

This process eliminates paperwork and long waiting times, relying solely on live biometric matching for approval.

Importance of This Update

The primary objective of this reform is clear: to ensure that every laborer receives their wages promptly, without delays or discrepancies. The digital verification process significantly minimizes fraud and guarantees that only legitimate workers are registered under the scheme.

With efficient authentication and rapid renewal processes, the government aims to create a faster, more transparent, and worker-friendly MGNREGA environment.

This e-KYC enhancement represents a crucial advancement towards efficiency, benefiting millions of rural households reliant on MGNREGA for their livelihoods and security.