Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
1 April 2026 - 30 September 2026
Notification
Effective 1 April 2026 · VDA ₹8,947.20
Issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Labour, Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Andhra Pradesh. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Andhra Pradesh
2026 — Zone-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Shops & Commercial Establishments in Andhra Pradesh, across two zones and by designation tier. The current cycle is effective 1 April 2026 with a uniform VDA of ₹8,947.20/month, and is revised every six months.
Quick Answer
Andhra Pradesh’s minimum wages for Shops & Commercial Establishments range from ₹12,317/month (Unskilled, Zone II) to ₹14,504/month (Manager, Zone I), including the ₹8,947.20 VDA. Effective 1 April 2026.
₹12,317 - ₹14,504
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
VDA included
₹8,947Next revision
1 October 2026Last updated: June 2026. Figures are compiled from the latest available notifications and reputable compliance sources and are provided for guidance only. Minimum wages and VDA change frequently - verify against the official notification (Andhra Pradesh Labour Department) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - Zone I & Zone II
Andhra Pradesh Shops & Commercial Establishments - monthly minimum wage by designation tier and zone (VDA ₹8,947.20 included), effective 1 April 2026.
| Designation Tier | Zone I | Zone II |
|---|---|---|
| Manager / Field Officer / Programmer | ₹14,504 | ₹14,085 |
| Accountant / Supervisor / Store Keeper | ₹13,669 | ₹13,467 |
| Salesman / Electrician / Welder / Mason | ₹13,467 | ₹13,249 |
| Clerk / Typist (Semi-skilled A) | ₹13,049 | ₹12,833 |
| Computer Operator (Semi-skilled B) | ₹12,833 | ₹12,704 |
| Peon / Watchman / Helper (Unskilled) | ₹12,647 | ₹12,317 |
VDA of ₹8,947.20/month is included in every row. Rates are monthly; daily wage ≈ monthly ÷ 26. The VDA is revised every six months (next revision due 1 October 2026). AP’s schedule lists wages by designation tier rather than a clean skill header.
Andhra Pradesh Minimum Wage Zones
Most employments use two zones based on the civic status of the workplace location (a third zone applies only to certain sectors such as security services).
Zone I — Corporations
Areas under municipal corporations and special-grade municipalities - including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Guntur. Higher cost of living, higher rates.
Zone II — Other Areas
Selection-grade municipalities and other specified / remaining areas of the state.
Zone III — Sector-specific
A third zone applies only to certain sectors (e.g. security services) for remote / rural areas.
What Every Andhra Pradesh Employer Must Do
Pay at least the notified zone-wise rate
Use the rate matching each branch’s location - not the head-office zone. Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even if the employee agrees.
Apply the latest VDA / revised rate
Update payroll the moment a new notification or VDA revision is published. Arrears apply from the effective date, not the date you noticed.
Maintain wage & attendance registers
Keep statutory registers, wage slips and muster rolls. Inspectors can demand records for the past several years.
Layer statutory costs correctly
On top of minimum wage, account for PF (12% of basic), ESI (3.25% if wage ≤ ₹21,000), bonus and gratuity provision.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Under the Code on Wages, 2019 (in force across India from 21 November 2025), paying any worker below the notified minimum wage attracts a fine up to ₹50,000 for a first offence, and imprisonment up to 3 months or a fine up to ₹1,00,000 (or both) for a repeat offence within five years. The employer must also pay the full wage arrears due. Failing to maintain the prescribed wage and attendance registers carries a further fine up to ₹10,000. The Andhra Pradesh Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada's manufacturing, retail and port-logistics establishments, so Andhra Pradesh employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Andhra Pradesh Labour Department
Download the Andhra Pradesh Minimum Wages 2026 Rate Card
Get the full PDF - all zones, every role band, VDA breakdown and an employer compliance checklist. Free, ready for your HR & payroll records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Andhra Pradesh in 2026?
For Shops & Commercial Establishments (effective 1 April 2026), AP minimum wages range from Rs.12,317/month (Unskilled, Zone II) to Rs.14,504/month (Manager, Zone I), including the Rs.8,947.20 VDA.
How often are Andhra Pradesh minimum wages revised?
The VDA is revised every six months, on 1 April and 1 October, linked to the Consumer Price Index. The next revision is due 1 October 2026.
What is the VDA in Andhra Pradesh minimum wages?
VDA (Variable Dearness Allowance) is the inflation-linked component. For Shops & Commercial Establishments in the current cycle it is Rs.8,947.20/month, uniform across zones and added to the Basic for each designation.
Which cities fall under Zone I in Andhra Pradesh?
Zone I covers municipal corporations and special-grade municipalities, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Guntur. Zones are defined by the civic status of the location, so confirm a specific area's classification.
What is the daily minimum wage in Andhra Pradesh?
AP notifies monthly rates. A daily figure is conventionally monthly divided by 26 - for example a Zone I Unskilled worker at Rs.12,647.20/month is about Rs.486/day.
Are construction and security workers covered separately?
Yes. Construction/building work and security services have their own schedules (security uses three zones). Use the specific schedule for those sectors rather than the shops rates.
What is the penalty for paying below minimum wage in AP?
Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even with the employee's consent. Employers owe full arrears with compensation and face fines and possible prosecution under the applicable wage law.
Does minimum wage include PF and ESI?
No. Minimum wage is the gross paid to the worker. PF (12% of basic), ESI (3.25% of gross if wage is up to Rs.21,000), bonus and gratuity are additional employer costs.
Explore Minimum Wages Across India
Minimum wages differ by state, zone, skill and industry. Compare Andhra Pradesh with other states, or see the full national overview.
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