What are the central sphere minimum wages from 1 October 2026?
Central sphere minimum wages are legal minimums, not market pay. From 1 October 2026, the central sphere minimum wage for an unskilled agricultural worker in an "A" area is Rs 537 per day (basic Rs 333 plus Variable Dearness Allowance of Rs 204). Unskilled work above ground in a covered non-coal mine is Rs 565 per day. They are floors.
Source: Labour Bureau order File No. 6/1/2026-VDA, dated 30 September 2026, effective 1 October 2026.
At a glance
- A minimum wage is the lowest legal daily rate for scheduled work. It is a floor, not an average and not an expected salary.
- The central sphere applies where the Central Government is the "appropriate government". It is not a state rate. States set their own minimum wages for work in their sphere, so check your state's labour department.
- The central rate has two parts: a basic rate and a Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) that tracks inflation.
- VDA is revised twice a year, effective 1 April and 1 October, using the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW).
Why central sphere minimum wages changed on 1 October 2026
Under Central Government Notification S.O. 2451(E) dated 12 May 2026, the Labour Bureau revised VDA from 1 October 2026. The average CPI-IW (base 2016=100) reached 431.42 as of 30 June 2026, up 6.62 points from 424.80. The order says VDA is rounded up to the next higher rupee as decided by the Minimum Wages Advisory Board.
Central VDA is revised twice a year, with effect from 1 April and 1 October. The October 2026 revision used the index as of 30 June 2026. Check the Labour Bureau site for the next order rather than assuming a date.
Agriculture: minimum wage per day (Rs), from 1 October 2026
Rates are by area. Area "A" covers the largest urban agglomerations (for example Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad); the order's annexure lists areas A, B and C, and area C is all other covered areas. Each cell is basic plus VDA equals total.
| Category of worker | Area A | Area B | Area C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | 333 + 204 = 537 | 303 + 188 = 491 | 300 + 186 = 486 |
| Semi-skilled / unskilled supervisory | 364 + 223 = 587 | 335 + 204 = 539 | 307 + 189 = 496 |
| Skilled / clerical | 395 + 242 = 637 | 364 + 223 = 587 | 334 + 204 = 538 |
| Highly skilled | 438 + 267 = 705 | 407 + 248 = 655 | 364 + 223 = 587 |
Non-coal mines: minimum wage per day (Rs), from 1 October 2026
The order covers the listed non-coal mines (for example gypsum, bauxite, copper, iron ore, granite, marble and mica mines). Rates differ for work above and below ground.
| Category of worker | Above ground | Below ground |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | 350 + 215 = 565 | 437 + 267 = 704 |
| Semi-skilled / unskilled supervisory | 437 + 267 = 704 | 523 + 317 = 840 |
| Skilled / clerical | 523 + 317 = 840 | 610 + 369 = 979 |
| Highly skilled | 610 + 369 = 979 | 683 + 412 = 1,095 |
The same order covers other central sphere scheduled employments. This page reproduces only the two tables above. Read the full order for any other sector.
How to use these numbers
- Find out whether your work falls in the central sphere or a state's schedule. If unsure, ask the labour department or your employer's HR.
- Compare your daily or monthly rate with the correct row. Wages you receive for the same work should be at least the legal minimum.
- If you are paid less than the notified minimum, you can raise it with the labour authority. Keep payslips or a written record of days worked.
Related pages
- India minimum wages: what they are and how to check yours
- CTC vs in-hand salary in India
- What is PF / EPFO?
- Jobs data explained, October 2026
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.
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