The study was conducted in two districts, Burdwan and Dakshin Dinajpur of West Bengal with 200 beneficiaries as respondents to assess the impact of MNREGA on the empowerment of the beneficiaries. Significant positive changes were found in the level of aspiration, self confidence and self reliance of the respondents after commencement of the scheme. Hundred per cent respondents were found to be in low empowerment category before MNREGA and 75.5 per cent of the respondents were found under low empowerment category and 24.5 per cent were found under medium empowerment category after working under MNREGA. So a positive impact of the programme was observed on the empowerment of its beneficiaries in the study area

Keyword: Empowerment; Social participation