New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched an enhanced version of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, introducing additional security measures to prevent fraudulent attendance and protect wage payments under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G.
Developed with technical support from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and other technical agencies, the upgraded application incorporates AI-based verification, device-level security checks and safeguards against app cloning and tampering. It also allows attendance to be recorded offline in areas with poor network connectivity and provides an exception mechanism for workers facing genuine authentication difficulties.
Chouhan said the government’s priority was to ensure employment for rural workers, safeguard their wages and improve transparency in the use of public funds. He emphasised that technological checks should not prevent eligible workers from receiving their entitlements because of connectivity issues or technical failures.
AI-Based Face Verification to Prevent Fake Attendance
The enhanced NMMS app builds on the face-authentication feature introduced in March 2026 to address complaints of fake attendance and wages being claimed in the names of other individuals.
The latest version strengthens verification through several security measures, including:
- Google Play Integrity: Helps verify the integrity of the application and the device on which it operates.
- Device-level security checks: Strengthens protection against unauthorised access and manipulation.
- Anti-cloning and anti-tampering safeguards: Designed to prevent the use of altered or duplicate applications.
- Liveness detection: Helps establish whether the person appearing before the camera is a real, live individual rather than a photograph or dummy image.
- Refined AI-based face verification: Accounts for differences across states and geographical regions to improve authentication.
The Minister said cybersecurity measures would continue to be strengthened to address evolving attempts at technological breaches.
According to the Ministry of Rural Development, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have achieved 100% attendance recording through face authentication at worksites.
To address connectivity challenges in rural areas, the upgraded app permits attendance to be recorded offline at worksites where network access is unavailable. The attendance data can be uploaded once the device reaches an area with connectivity, following the prescribed procedure after the muster roll is closed.
An authorised exception mechanism is also available when face authentication fails because of genuine difficulties, including those faced by elderly workers and persons with disabilities, or because of technical problems with mobile devices.
Under the prescribed process, the mate or field worker can submit an exception request for consideration.
The mechanism is intended to ensure that technological requirements do not automatically exclude genuine workers from employment or wage payments.
How the System Verifies Work Before Wage Payments
Chouhan clarified that recording attendance through the NMMS app does not automatically trigger wage payments. Multiple checks are used to verify attendance, the work performed and the amount payable.
The verification process includes:
- AI-based photo de-duplication: Identifies suspicious or repeated photographs. Wage lists and Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) are withheld automatically when suspicious entries are detected, pending the necessary checks.
- Electronic Measurement Book (e-MB): Records the work actually completed, based on physical measurements taken by technical engineers.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Transfers approved wages directly into workers’ bank accounts through the prescribed payment process.
- Random spot inspections: District-level teams verify whether the reported work has been carried out at the site.
- Social audits and public disclosures: Support public scrutiny and accountability in implementation.
States have also been directed to monitor the use of suspicious or unauthorised applications. Where misuse is detected, they have been instructed to collect digital evidence promptly and initiate criminal proceedings under applicable laws.
VB-G RAM G Generates Nearly 46 Crore Person-Days
Sharing the scheme’s progress, Chouhan said VB-G RAM G had generated nearly 46 crore person-days of employment. Of these, approximately 40 crore person-days had been recorded through face authentication.
The scheme, implemented across rural areas from July 1, 2026, has recorded the following figures:
- Worksites covered: 31.23 lakh
- Gram Panchayats covered: More than 2.41 lakh
- Workers provided employment: More than 3.65 crore
- Rural households receiving employment: 2.89 crore
- Person-days generated: Nearly 46 crore
- Person-days recorded through face authentication: Approximately 40 crore
For the financial year 2026–27, the Centre has allocated ₹95,692 crore for the scheme. Including the states’ share, the total provision exceeds ₹1.51 lakh crore. A first instalment of ₹26,126 crore has already been issued to states and Union Territories through a mother sanction.
The Minister said the programme was part of the broader effort to strengthen rural livelihoods while improving transparency and accountability in public expenditure.
Farmer IDs Reach 10.997 Crore, Nearing National Target
Chouhan also shared an update on the nationwide Farmer ID drive, which aims to expand technology-enabled agricultural services and simplify farmers’ access to government schemes.
Against the target of creating 11 crore Farmer IDs by December 2027, India has generated 10,99,70,000 Farmer IDs, or approximately 10.997 crore.
The country is now just 30,000 IDs short of the milestone, more than a year ahead of the deadline.
The Minister said the progress reflected the expansion of digital systems in agriculture and efforts to make government services more accessible to farmers.
Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, Joint Secretary Rohini R. Bhajibhakre and other officials were present at the launch of the enhanced NMMS app in New Delhi.
Read Also: Bihar: 10.89 Lakh Rural Families Get Jobs Under VB-G RAM G Scheme Since July
