Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
In force from 1 April 2025
Notification
Statewide, w.e.f. 1 Apr 2025
Issued by the Labour Department, Government of Meghalaya. Applies to every employer registered under General Scheduled Employment in Meghalaya. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Meghalaya
2026 — Skill-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Meghalaya - statewide (no zones), by skill, with VDA included. Revised effective 1 April 2025 across 29 scheduled employments.
Quick Answer
Meghalaya’s minimum wages run from ₹541/day (₹16,230/month) (Unskilled) to ₹665/day (₹19,950/month) (Highly-skilled), including VDA. Effective 1 April 2025.
₹16,230 - ₹19,950
per month · General Scheduled Employment
VDA
IncludedNext revision
Periodic (annual)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 (Meghalaya Labour Commissionerate) before using for payroll.
Rate Card - by Skill
Meghalaya statewide minimum wage by skill, daily and monthly (VDA included), effective 1 April 2025.
| Skill Category | Per Day | Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹541 | ₹16,230 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹583 | ₹17,490 |
| Skilled | ₹624 | ₹18,720 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹665 | ₹19,950 |
Totals include VDA; monthly = daily × 26. Effective 1 April 2025 across 29 scheduled employments. Verify on the Meghalaya Labour Commissioner portal (meglc.gov.in) before payroll use.
How Meghalaya Structures Minimum Wages
Meghalaya applies uniform statewide rates:
Statewide skill-based rates
One rate per skill level across Meghalaya - no geographic zones.
Periodic revision
Rates are revised by government notification; always check the latest notification date.
Consolidated figures
Where a Basic/VDA split is not published, the figure shown is the total payable.
What Every Meghalaya 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 Meghalaya Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Shillong's retail, hospitality, tourism and construction establishments, so Meghalaya employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Meghalaya Labour Commissionerate
Download the Meghalaya 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 Meghalaya in 2026?
Statewide rates run from Rs.541/day (Rs.16,230/month) for Unskilled to Rs.665/day (Rs.19,950/month) for Highly-skilled, including VDA, effective 1 April 2025.
Does Meghalaya use zones for minimum wages?
No. Meghalaya applies uniform statewide skill-based rates.
When were Meghalaya minimum wages last revised?
Effective 1 April 2025 (notified July 2025), superseding the January 2025 rates.
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 Meghalaya with other states, or see the full national overview.
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