Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
1 January 2026 - 30 June 2026
Notification
VDA revised w.e.f. 1 Jan 2026 · ₹3,900
Issued by the Office of the Labour Commissioner, Government of Maharashtra. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Maharashtra. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Maharashtra
2026 — Zone-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Shops & Commercial Establishments across Maharashtra’s three zones. The current cycle is effective 1 January 2026 with a flat VDA of ₹3,900/month; VDA is revised every January and July. Every Maharashtra employer must pay at least these notified amounts.
Quick Answer
Maharashtra’s minimum wages for Shops & Commercial Establishments range from ₹12,728/month (Unskilled, Zone III) to ₹15,532/month (Skilled, Zone I / Mumbai & Pune), including the ₹3,900 VDA. Effective 1 January 2026.
₹12,728 - ₹15,532
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
VDA included
₹3,900Next revision
1 July 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 (Maharashtra Labour Department (mahakamgar.gov.in)) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - All 3 Zones
Maharashtra Shops & Commercial Establishments - monthly minimum wage by skill and zone (VDA ₹3,900 included), effective 1 January 2026.
| Skill Category | Zone I (Mumbai / Pune) | Zone II | Zone III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹13,921 | ₹13,325 | ₹12,728 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹14,756 | ₹14,160 | ₹13,564 |
| Skilled | ₹15,532 | ₹14,936 | ₹14,340 |
Totals include the flat VDA of ₹3,900/month (Jan-Jun 2026), revised every January and July. Daily wage ≈ monthly ÷ 26. Establishments with more than 50 workers must additionally pay 5% HRA on (Basic + VDA). Verify against the gazette dated 4 Feb 2026 before payroll use.
Maharashtra Minimum Wage Zones
Maharashtra uses three zones. The rate depends on where each workplace is located.
Zone I — Corporations & industrial belt
All Municipal Corporation and Cantonment areas plus industrial areas within 20 km of a corporation - Mumbai, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Highest rates.
Zone II — Municipal Councils
All A- and B-grade Municipal Council towns.
Zone III — Rest of State
All other (largely rural) areas of Maharashtra.
What Every Maharashtra 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 Maharashtra Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Mumbai and Pune's manufacturing, IT, retail and hospitality establishments, so Maharashtra employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Maharashtra Labour Department (mahakamgar.gov.in)
Download the Maharashtra 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 Maharashtra in 2026?
For Shops & Commercial Establishments (effective 1 January 2026), rates range from Rs.12,728/month (Unskilled, Zone III) to Rs.15,532/month (Skilled, Zone I / Mumbai & Pune), including the Rs.3,900 VDA.
Which zone do Mumbai and Pune fall under?
Zone I - the highest-wage zone. Zone I covers municipal corporation areas and industrial areas within 20 km of a corporation.
How often are Maharashtra minimum wages revised?
The VDA is revised half-yearly, effective 1 January and 1 July, based on the Consumer Price Index. The next revision is due 1 July 2026.
Is there an HRA component in Maharashtra minimum wage?
Yes. Establishments employing more than 50 workers must pay an additional 5% HRA on (Basic + VDA), over and above the minimum wage.
What is the daily minimum wage in Maharashtra?
Rates are monthly; the daily wage is conventionally monthly divided by 26. A Zone I Unskilled worker at Rs.13,921/month is about Rs.536/day.
What is the penalty for paying below minimum wage?
Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even with the employee's consent. Under the Code on Wages, 2019 employers face fines up to Rs.50,000 (first offence) and up to Rs.1,00,000 with imprisonment for repeat offences, plus full wage arrears.
Does minimum wage include PF and ESI?
No. Minimum wage is the gross amount paid to the worker. On top of it the employer pays PF (12% of basic), ESI (3.25% of gross if wage is up to Rs.21,000), statutory bonus and a gratuity provision.
Explore Minimum Wages Across India
Minimum wages differ by state, zone, skill and industry. Compare Maharashtra with other states, or see the full national overview.
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