Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
Last notified 14 June 2019 (verify)
Notification
Statewide, last notified 2019
Issued by the Department of Labour, Government of Nagaland. Applies to every employer registered under General Scheduled Employment in Nagaland. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Nagaland
— Skill-Wise Rates
Minimum wage rates for Nagaland - statewide (no zones). Important: the latest available notification dates to June 2019 and has not been revised since, so these rates are significantly overdue - confirm current rates with the State Labour Department.
Quick Answer
Per the last available (2019) schedule, Nagaland rates run from about ₹176/day (Unskilled) to ₹235/day (Skilled). These are outdated - verify before use.
₹176 - ₹235 / day
per month · General Scheduled Employment
Last notified
2019Next revision
Overdue (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 (Nagaland Department of Labour) before using for payroll.
Rate Card - by Skill
Nagaland statewide minimum wage by skill (per the last available 2019 notification).
| Skill Category | Per Day | Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹176 | ₹4,576 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹210 | ₹5,460 |
| Skilled | ₹235 | ₹6,110 |
These rates date from the 14 June 2019 notification and have not been revised since - they are significantly out of date. A revision is pending (the State Human Rights Commission directed the government to place a cabinet memo by 31 March 2026), so a new notification may issue - confirm the current minimum wage with the Nagaland Labour Department before relying on it. No separate highly-skilled tier is notified; monthly ≈ daily × 26.
How Nagaland Structures Minimum Wages
Nagaland applies uniform statewide rates:
Statewide skill-based rates
One rate per skill level across Nagaland - 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 Nagaland 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 Nagaland Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Dimapur and Kohima's retail, hospitality, construction and security establishments, so Nagaland employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Nagaland Department of Labour
Download the Nagaland 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 Nagaland?
Per the last available (2019) schedule, rates run from about Rs.176/day (Unskilled) to Rs.235/day (Skilled). These are significantly out of date - verify with the State Labour Department.
Does Nagaland use zones for minimum wages?
No. Nagaland applies uniform statewide rates.
Are Nagaland minimum wages current?
No - the latest available notification is from June 2019 and is overdue for revision. Confirm current rates before relying on them.
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 Nagaland with other states, or see the full national overview.
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