The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is one of India’s most significant rural development and social security programmes. Introduced in 2005, the scheme guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work. In Bihar, where poverty, unemployment, seasonal migration, and agrarian distress are common, MNREGA plays a crucial role in strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting social security. The present study examines the role and effectiveness of MNREGA in Bahadurpur Block of Darbhanga district in Bihar.

The study analyses the socio-economic conditions of the area, the implementation of MNREGA, and its contribution toward employment generation, income enhancement, and social inclusion. Secondary data from Census reports, district records, government publications, and academic studies have been used for the analysis. The findings reveal that MNREGA has positively influenced the rural poor by creating temporary employment opportunities, reducing distress migration, improving purchasing power, and enhancing community assets. However, issues such as delayed wage payments, corruption, inadequate awareness, and limited work opportunities continue to affect the scheme’s effectiveness.

The study concludes that MNREGA has emerged as an important social security mechanism in Bihar, particularly in vulnerable rural regions like Bahadurpur Block. Strengthening transparency, timely payment systems, local participation, and administrative efficiency can improve the programme’s impact on rural livelihoods and sustainable development.