Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
1 April 2026 - 30 September 2026
Notification
Special Allowance ₹60.50/day · w.e.f. 1 Apr 2026
Issued by the Commissionerate of Labour, Government of Gujarat. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Gujarat. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Gujarat
2026 — Zone-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Gujarat across two zones. Gujarat’s wage = a fixed Basic plus a Special Allowance (VDA) revised every April and October; the current Special Allowance is ₹60.50/day, effective 1 April 2026.
Quick Answer
Gujarat’s minimum wages for the general / shops schedule range from about ₹13,039/month (Unskilled, Zone II) to ₹13,897/month (Skilled, Zone I), including the ₹60.50/day Special Allowance. Effective 1 April 2026.
₹13,039 - ₹13,897
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
Special Allowance
₹60.50/dayNext revision
1 October 2026Last 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, Gujarat) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - Zone I & Zone II
Gujarat general / Shops & Commercial Establishments - monthly minimum wage by skill and zone (Special Allowance ₹60.50/day included), effective 1 April 2026.
| Skill Category | Zone I | Zone II |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹13,325 | ₹13,039 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹13,585 | ₹13,325 |
| Skilled | ₹13,897 | ₹13,585 |
Monthly figures are the daily rate × 26. The Special Allowance (VDA) of ₹60.50/day is included and revised every April and October. Verify against the official notification on col.gujarat.gov.in before payroll use.
Gujarat Minimum Wage Zones
Gujarat uses two zones based on the civic status of the workplace location.
Zone I — Urban / Corporations
Areas within Municipal Corporations, municipalities, Nagar Palikas and Urban Development Authority limits - Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar and similar.
Zone II — Rest of State
All other areas of Gujarat not covered by Zone I.
What Every Gujarat 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 Gujarat Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Ahmedabad and Surat's textiles, manufacturing, retail and diamond establishments, so Gujarat 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, Gujarat
Download the Gujarat 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 Gujarat in 2026?
For the general / shops schedule (effective 1 April 2026), rates range from about Rs.13,039/month (Unskilled, Zone II) to Rs.13,897/month (Skilled, Zone I), including the Rs.60.50/day Special Allowance.
Which zone do Ahmedabad and Surat fall under?
Zone I. Zone I covers municipal corporation, municipality and urban development authority areas, which include Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and other corporations.
How often are Gujarat minimum wages revised?
The Special Allowance (VDA) is revised half-yearly, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the cost of living index. The next revision is due 1 October 2026.
How is the Gujarat minimum wage calculated?
It is a fixed Basic wage per day plus a Special Allowance (currently Rs.60.50/day). The monthly figure is the daily total multiplied by 26.
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 Gujarat with other states, or see the full national overview.
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