Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
In force from 1 May 2026
Notification
Consolidated, w.e.f. 1 May 2026
Issued by the Labour Department, Government of Punjab. Applies to every employer registered under All Employments (statewide) in Punjab. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Punjab
2026 — Skill-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Punjab, fixed under the Code on Wages, 2019 as consolidated statewide rates (no separate VDA) with built-in CPI neutralisation. Effective 1 May 2026, covering skill levels and clerical/staff categories.
Quick Answer
Punjab’s minimum wages range from ₹13,486/month (Unskilled) to ₹16,601/month (Highly-skilled), with graduate/professional staff up to ₹19,431/month. Consolidated rates, effective 1 May 2026.
₹13,486 - ₹19,431
per month · All Employments (statewide)
Structure
ConsolidatedNext 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 (Punjab Labour Department) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - Skill & Staff
Punjab statewide consolidated minimum wage by skill and staff category, effective 1 May 2026.
| Category | Per Month | Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹13,486 | ₹519 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹14,383 | ₹553 |
| Skilled | ₹15,414 | ₹593 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹16,601 | ₹639 |
| Staff A - PG / professional | ₹19,431 | ₹747 |
| Staff C - above matric | ₹15,786 | ₹607 |
Consolidated rates under the Code on Wages, 2019 (no separate VDA component; CPI neutralisation built in). Daily = monthly ÷ 26. Staff categories B and D and agriculture rates are in the full notification. Verify on the Punjab Labour Department portal before payroll use.
How Punjab Structures Minimum Wages (No Zones)
Punjab applies uniform statewide rates:
Statewide skill-based rates
Unskilled, Semi-skilled, Skilled and Highly-skilled - one rate per level across Punjab.
Staff / clerical categories
Separate A-D staff rates by qualification (PG, graduate, above-matric, Class-IV).
Consolidated (Code on Wages)
A single consolidated wage with CPI neutralisation absorbed in - no separate VDA line.
What Every Punjab 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 Punjab Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Ludhiana and Mohali's textiles, manufacturing, IT and retail establishments, so Punjab employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Punjab Labour Department
Download the Punjab 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 Punjab in 2026?
Effective 1 May 2026, statewide rates range from Rs.13,486/month (Unskilled) to Rs.16,601/month (Highly-skilled), with graduate/professional staff (Category A) up to Rs.19,431/month.
Does Punjab use zones for minimum wages?
No. Punjab fixes uniform statewide rates by skill level, plus separate staff/clerical categories. There are no geographic zones.
Is there a separate VDA in Punjab minimum wages?
No. Under the Code on Wages, 2019, Punjab now publishes a single consolidated rate with CPI neutralisation built in - there is no separate Variable Dearness Allowance line.
How often are Punjab minimum wages revised?
Punjab revises wages periodically with CPI neutralisation; the current notification took effect 1 May 2026, superseding the 1 September 2025 rates.
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 Punjab with other states, or see the full national overview.
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