Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
1 April 2026 - 30 September 2026
Notification
VDA ₹518 · w.e.f. 1 Apr 2026
Issued by the Labour Department, Government of Uttarakhand. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Uttarakhand. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Uttarakhand
2026 — Latest Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Uttarakhand. Rates vary by two area categories - towns with population of 1 lakh or more, and other areas - with a VDA of ₹518/month revised every April and October. Current cycle effective 1 April 2026.
Quick Answer
Uttarakhand’s minimum wages range from about ₹12,909/month (Unskilled, smaller areas) to ₹15,793/month (highly-skilled / clerical Cat-I, larger towns), including the ₹518 VDA. Effective 1 April 2026.
₹12,909 - ₹15,793
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
VDA included
₹518Next 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 (Uttarakhand Labour Department) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - by Skill & Area
Uttarakhand Shops & Commercial Establishments - monthly minimum wage by skill and area category (VDA ₹518 included), effective 1 April 2026.
| Skill Category | Population ≥ 1 lakh | Other areas |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹13,057 | ₹12,909 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹13,798 | ₹13,628 |
| Skilled | ₹14,541 | ₹14,356 |
| Clerical Cat-II | ₹14,858 | ₹14,657 |
| Clerical Cat-I (highly skilled) | ₹15,793 | ₹15,553 |
Totals include the ₹518/month VDA (Apr-Sep 2026), revised every April and October. Rates differ by area category (towns of 1 lakh+ population vs other areas). Daily ≈ monthly ÷ 26. Engineering, agriculture and construction use separate schedules. Verify on labour.uk.gov.in.
Uttarakhand Minimum Wage Areas
Uttarakhand sets rates by two area categories rather than classic zones:
Population ≥ 1 lakh
Cities and towns with a population of 1 lakh or more - the higher rate band.
Other areas
Towns and areas with a population below 1 lakh.
Half-yearly VDA
A uniform VDA (₹518/month) added to Basic, revised every April and October.
What Every Uttarakhand 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 Uttarakhand Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Dehradun, Haridwar and Rudrapur's manufacturing, hospitality and retail establishments, so Uttarakhand employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Uttarakhand Labour Department
Download the Uttarakhand 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 Uttarakhand in 2026?
For Shops & Commercial Establishments (effective 1 April 2026), rates range from about Rs.12,909/month (Unskilled, smaller areas) to Rs.15,793/month (clerical Cat-I, larger towns), including the Rs.518 VDA.
Does Uttarakhand use zones?
It uses two area categories - towns with population 1 lakh or more, and other areas - rather than classic A/B/C zones.
How often are Uttarakhand minimum wages revised?
The VDA is revised half-yearly, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the All-India CPI. The next revision is due 1 October 2026.
What is the VDA in Uttarakhand minimum wages?
The current VDA is Rs.518/month, uniform across skill levels and added to the Basic wage.
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 Uttarakhand with other states, or see the full national overview.
Stop tracking minimum wage changes in spreadsheets
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