Which state has consistently been ranked as first in implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGS)?

Rajasthan was consistently recognized as the top-performing state in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS, later renamed MGNREGA) during the early years of the program. The state excelled in generating person-days of employment, ensuring timely wage payments, and maintaining transparency in implementation. Rajasthan's strong administrative framework and effective use of technology for monitoring helped it achieve high rankings. The state particularly performed well in providing employment to rural households and completing works under the scheme.