Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
Latest VDA revision (2026)
Notification
Base rates + latest VDA
Issued by the Commissionerate of Labour, Government of Assam. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Establishments in Assam. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Assam
2026 — Skill-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Assam - statewide and skill-based (no zones). Assam adds a CPI-linked VDA to the base wage, revised about every six months. Figures below reflect the latest VDA revision.
Quick Answer
Assam’s minimum wages range from about ₹10,344/month (Unskilled) to ₹19,326/month (Highly-skilled), including VDA. Daily rates run from ₹240 to ₹450.
₹10,344 - ₹19,326
per month · Shops & Establishments
VDA
IncludedNext revision
Half-yearly (CPI-linked)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 (Commissionerate of Labour, Assam) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - by Skill
Assam Shops & Establishments / general schedule - monthly and daily minimum wage by skill (VDA included).
| Skill Category | Per Month | Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹10,344 | ₹240 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹12,025 | ₹280 |
| Skilled / Clerical | ₹15,032 | ₹350 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹19,326 | ₹450 |
Totals include the CPI-linked VDA and are revised about every six months - the total (not the base) drifts each cycle. Daily rates are the base figures (₹240/₹280/₹350/₹450). Other scheduled employments (tea plantations, construction, mines) use separate rates. Verify on labourcommissioner.assam.gov.in.
How Assam Structures Minimum Wages (No Zones)
Assam applies uniform statewide rates:
Statewide skill-based rates
Four tiers across the state - no geographic zones.
Base + VDA
A CPI-linked VDA is added to the base wage and revised about half-yearly.
Sector schedules
Tea plantations, construction and mines have their own schedules.
What Every Assam 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 Assam Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Guwahati's retail, hospitality, tea-plantation and manufacturing establishments, so Assam employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Commissionerate of Labour, Assam
Download the Assam 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 Assam in 2026?
Statewide rates range from about Rs.10,344/month (Unskilled) to Rs.19,326/month (Highly-skilled), including VDA. Base daily rates run from Rs.240 to Rs.450.
Does Assam use zones for minimum wages?
No. Assam applies uniform statewide skill-based rates with no geographic zones.
How often are Assam minimum wages revised?
The VDA is revised about every six months on the CPI, so the total wage drifts each cycle while the base stays the same.
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 Assam with other states, or see the full national overview.
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