Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
In force from 1 April 2025
Notification
Order dated 15 Apr 2025 (current)
Issued by the Labour Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Delhi. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Delhi
2026 — Latest Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Delhi (NCT) - among the highest in India. Delhi sets rates by skill level (no zones), with separate scales for clerical and supervisory staff. The rates effective 1 April 2025 remain in force as of June 2026.
Quick Answer
Delhi’s minimum wages run from ₹18,456/month (Unskilled) to ₹24,356/month (Graduate clerical/supervisory). Skilled is ₹22,411/month. Rates are revised half-yearly on CPI; the 1 April 2025 order is current.
₹18,456 - ₹24,356
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
VDA revised
Apr / OctNext revision
Half-yearly (Apr / Oct)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 (Delhi Labour Department) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - by Skill & Category
Delhi (NCT) minimum wage by category, monthly and daily, in force from 1 April 2025.
| Category | Per Month | Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹18,456 | ₹710 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹20,371 | ₹784 |
| Skilled | ₹22,411 | ₹862 |
| Clerical / Supervisory - Non-matriculate | ₹20,371 | ₹784 |
| Clerical / Supervisory - Matriculate | ₹22,411 | ₹862 |
| Clerical / Supervisory - Graduate & above | ₹24,356 | ₹937 |
Rates effective 1 April 2025, in force as of June 2026 (Order No. F.142/02/MW/VII/211-241). Delhi revises wages half-yearly (April and October) on CPI. Note: a forged “October 2025” revision circulated online - the Delhi Labour Department confirmed no such order was issued. Always confirm the current order on the official site.
How Delhi Structures Minimum Wages (No Zones)
Delhi does not use geographic zones. The wage is built from:
Skill categories
One statewide rate per skill level - Unskilled, Semi-skilled and Skilled.
Clerical & supervisory scales
Separate, education-based rates for non-matriculate, matriculate and graduate staff.
Half-yearly VDA
A CPI-linked Variable Dearness Allowance is revised on 1 April and 1 October each year.
What Every Delhi 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 Delhi Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Delhi's retail, hospitality, manufacturing and private-security establishments, so Delhi employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Delhi Labour Department
Download the Delhi 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 Delhi in 2026?
Delhi minimum wages run from Rs.18,456/month (Unskilled) to Rs.22,411/month (Skilled), with graduate clerical/supervisory staff at Rs.24,356/month. These rates (effective 1 April 2025) remain in force as of June 2026.
Does Delhi use zones for minimum wages?
No. Delhi sets one statewide rate per skill level, plus separate education-based rates for clerical and supervisory staff. There are no geographic zones.
Was there an October 2025 minimum wage revision in Delhi?
No. A forged "October 2025" order circulated online; the Delhi Labour Department issued a circular confirming no such revision was made. The 1 April 2025 rates remain valid.
How often are Delhi minimum wages revised?
Half-yearly - the VDA is revised on 1 April and 1 October each year based on the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers.
What is the daily minimum wage in Delhi?
For example, Unskilled is about Rs.710/day, Semi-skilled Rs.784/day and Skilled Rs.862/day (monthly total divided by 26 days).
What is the penalty for paying below minimum wage?
Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even with the employee's 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 amount paid to the worker. On top of it the employer pays PF (12% of basic), ESI (3.25% of gross if wage is up to Rs.21,000), statutory bonus and a gratuity provision.
Explore Minimum Wages Across India
Minimum wages differ by state, zone, skill and industry. Compare Delhi with other states, or see the full national overview.
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