MGNREGA in Nagaland An Evaluation of Employment Outcomes and Inclusion Gaps

Abstract : The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a flagship program aimed at enhancing livelihood security through guaranteed wage employment for rural households. This study evaluates the effectiveness of MGNREGA implementation in Nagaland with a particular focus on employment outcomes and inclusion gaps during the period 2022–2024. Drawing on official performance data, the research highlights key discrepancies between job card issuance, employment demand, and actual work provided across districts in the state. Notably, despite high job card coverage, Nagaland recorded one of the lowest proportions of households completing 100 days of employment (0.1%) in FY 2023–24. The analysis further reveals significant gaps in the inclusion of vulnerable segments, with Scheduled Tribes constituting the majority of beneficiaries, minimal participation from Scheduled Castes, and less than 50% representation of women. These findings point to underlying structural and administrative challenges affecting the scheme’s outreach and efficacy. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing demand generation, equitable participation, and program transparency to strengthen the impact of MGNREGA in Nagaland.