Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
1 October 2025 - 31 March 2026
Notification
Zones A/B/C, w.e.f. 1 Oct 2025
Issued by the Department of Labour, Government of Jharkhand. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Jharkhand. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Jharkhand
2026 — Zone-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Jharkhand across three zones (A/B/C) and skill levels. Figures below are the October 2025 cycle (Basic + VDA); a 1 April 2026 revision may have since updated them - verify before payroll use.
Quick Answer
Jharkhand’s minimum wages range from about ₹11,851/month (Unskilled, Zone C) to ₹20,802/month (Highly-skilled, Zone A). Includes VDA; October 2025 cycle.
₹11,851 - ₹20,802
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
VDA
IncludedNext revision
1 April 2026 (verify)Last 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 (Jharkhand Labour Department (Shramadhan)) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - All 3 Zones
Jharkhand Shops & Commercial Establishments - monthly minimum wage by skill and zone (VDA included).
| Skill Category | Zone A | Zone B | Zone C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹13,050 | ₹12,437 | ₹11,851 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹13,692 | ₹13,050 | ₹12,437 |
| Skilled (incl. clerk) | ₹18,042 | ₹17,205 | ₹16,396 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹20,802 | ₹19,854 | ₹18,906 |
Totals include VDA; daily ≈ monthly ÷ 26. These are the 1 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 cycle figures; Jharkhand revises half-yearly (April/October), so a 1 April 2026 revision may have superseded them - confirm the current notification before payroll use.
Jharkhand Minimum Wage Zones
Jharkhand uses three zones based on the workplace location.
Zone A — Major urban
Major municipal corporation / urban areas such as Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Highest rates.
Zone B — Other municipal
Other municipal / semi-urban areas.
Zone C — Rural
Remaining rural areas of the state.
What Every Jharkhand 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 Jharkhand Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Ranchi and Jamshedpur's steel-allied manufacturing, retail and security establishments, so Jharkhand employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Jharkhand Labour Department (Shramadhan)
Download the Jharkhand 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 Jharkhand in 2026?
For Shops & Commercial Establishments, rates range from about Rs.11,851/month (Unskilled, Zone C) to Rs.20,802/month (Highly-skilled, Zone A). These are the October 2025 cycle figures; verify whether an April 2026 revision applies.
Which zone do Ranchi and Jamshedpur fall under?
Zone A - the highest-wage zone, covering major municipal corporation / urban areas.
How many zones does Jharkhand use?
Three - Zone A (major urban), Zone B (other municipal), and Zone C (rural).
How often are Jharkhand minimum wages revised?
Half-yearly, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the CPI.
What is the penalty for paying below minimum wage?
Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even with 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 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 Jharkhand with other states, or see the full national overview.
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