Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
1 April 2026 - 30 September 2026
Notification
Central-sphere (CLC) · Area C
Issued by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) - Lakshadweep is centrally administered. Applies to every employer registered under Central-Sphere Scheduled Employment in Lakshadweep. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Lakshadweep
2026 — Central-Sphere Rates
Lakshadweep is centrally administered, so minimum wages follow the Central Sphere schedule fixed by the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC), with VDA revised every April and October. The UT falls under Area C of the central classification.
Quick Answer
For Lakshadweep (central-sphere, Area C, Construction & Maintenance schedule), rates run from about ₹556/day (Unskilled) to ₹918/day (Highly-skilled). Effective 1 April 2026.
₹556 - ₹918 / day
per month · Central-Sphere Scheduled Employment
Area
Area CNext 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 (Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)) before using for payroll.
Rate Card - Central Sphere (Area C)
Lakshadweep central-sphere minimum wage by skill (Area C, Construction & Maintenance schedule), effective 1 April 2026.
| Skill Category | Per Day (Area C) | Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹556 | ₹14,456 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹650 | ₹16,900 |
| Skilled | ₹781 | ₹20,306 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹918 | ₹23,868 |
Lakshadweep follows central-sphere (CLC) rates, which are area- and schedule-specific. The figures above are Area C, Construction & Maintenance; other scheduled employments (agriculture, etc.) carry different rates. Monthly ≈ daily × 26. VDA revised 1 April and 1 October. Verify on clc.gov.in.
How Lakshadweep Minimum Wages Work
Lakshadweep uses the central-sphere classification:
Central sphere (CLC)
As a centrally administered UT, Lakshadweep applies the Chief Labour Commissioner’s minimum wages.
Area C
In the central Area A/B/C classification, Lakshadweep falls under Area C.
Schedule-specific
Rates differ by scheduled employment; there is no single flat rate.
What Every Lakshadweep 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 Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Kavaratti's tourism, fisheries, retail and hospitality establishments, so Lakshadweep employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)
Download the Lakshadweep 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 Lakshadweep in 2026?
Lakshadweep follows central-sphere (CLC) Area C rates. For Construction & Maintenance, they run from about Rs.556/day (Unskilled) to Rs.918/day (Highly-skilled), effective 1 April 2026.
Does Lakshadweep have its own minimum wage?
It follows the central-sphere schedule fixed by the Chief Labour Commissioner, under Area C of the central classification.
How often are the rates revised?
The central-sphere VDA is revised half-yearly, on 1 April and 1 October.
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 Lakshadweep with other states, or see the full national overview.
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