Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
In force from 2 November 2022
Notification
UT-wide, w.e.f. 2 Nov 2022
Issued by the Labour Department, UT of Ladakh. Applies to every employer registered under General Scheduled Employment in Ladakh. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Ladakh
— Skill-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for the Union Territory of Ladakh (carved from J&K in 2019, now issuing its own schedule). Ladakh uses an Administrative/Ministerial band rather than “semi-skilled”. A +10% uplift applies in the remote Zanskar, Durbuk and Nyoma tehsils.
Quick Answer
Ladakh’s minimum wages run from ₹450/day (₹11,700/month) (Unskilled) to ₹835/day (₹21,710/month) (Highly-skilled). In force since November 2022.
₹11,700 - ₹21,710
per month · General Scheduled Employment
Remote tehsils
+10%Next revision
By UT notificationLast 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 (UT of Ladakh (Labour Department)) before using for payroll.
Rate Card - by Category
Ladakh UT minimum wage by category, daily and monthly, effective 2 November 2022.
| Category | Per Day | Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹450 | ₹11,700 |
| Administrative / Ministerial | ₹535 | ₹13,910 |
| Skilled | ₹575 | ₹14,950 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹835 | ₹21,710 |
Ladakh has no separate “semi-skilled” tier - it uses an Administrative/Ministerial band instead. A +10% uplift applies in the Zanskar, Durbuk and Nyoma tehsils. Monthly = daily × 26. These November 2022 rates appear to be the latest - verify before payroll use.
How Ladakh Structures Minimum Wages
Ladakh applies one UT-wide schedule with a remote-area uplift:
UT-wide rates
One schedule across Ladakh.
Remote-tehsil uplift
+10% in Zanskar, Durbuk and Nyoma.
Administrative band
Ladakh uses an Administrative/Ministerial category instead of “semi-skilled”.
What Every Ladakh 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 Ladakh Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Leh's tourism, hospitality, retail and construction establishments, so Ladakh employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · UT of Ladakh (Labour Department)
Download the Ladakh 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 Ladakh?
UT rates run from Rs.450/day (Rs.11,700/month) for Unskilled to Rs.835/day (Rs.21,710/month) for Highly-skilled, in force since November 2022.
Does Ladakh follow J&K minimum wages?
No longer - since becoming a UT in 2019, Ladakh issues its own minimum wage notification.
Is there a remote-area uplift in Ladakh?
Yes - rates are 10% higher in the Zanskar, Durbuk and Nyoma tehsils.
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 Ladakh with other states, or see the full national overview.
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