Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
From 1 June 2026
Notification
Comprehensive fixation, w.e.f. 1 June 2026
Issued by the Office of the Labour Commissioner, Government of Telangana. Applies to every employer registered under Shops & Commercial Establishments in Telangana. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Telangana
2026 — Zone-Wise Rates
Telangana introduced its first comprehensive minimum-wage fixation, effective 1 June 2026, consolidating 1,548 older schedule-wise rates into a single skill-based structure across three zones. Every Telangana employer must pay at least these notified amounts.
Quick Answer
Telangana’s new minimum wages range from ₹14,000/month (Unskilled, Zone III) to ₹20,000/month (Highly-skilled, Zone I / Hyderabad), as consolidated monthly figures. Effective 1 June 2026.
₹14,000 - ₹20,000
per month · Shops & Commercial Establishments
VDA / DA
IncludedNext revision
To be notifiedLast 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 (Telangana Labour Department) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - All 3 Zones
Telangana unified minimum wage by skill category and zone - consolidated monthly figures, effective 1 June 2026.
| Skill Category | Zone I (Hyderabad) | Zone II | Zone III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹16,000 | ₹15,000 | ₹14,000 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹17,000 | ₹16,000 | ₹15,000 |
| Skilled | ₹18,500 | ₹17,500 | ₹16,500 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹20,000 | ₹19,000 | ₹18,000 |
Consolidated monthly figures with VDA folded in, effective 1 June 2026. Daily wage ≈ monthly ÷ 26 (e.g. Zone I Unskilled ≈ ₹615/day). These unified rates replace the older 1,548 schedule-wise Basic+VDA tables. Confirm against the official notification before payroll use.
Telangana Minimum Wage Zones (2026)
The new structure uses three zones. The rate you must pay depends on where each workplace is located.
Zone I — Municipal Corporations
Areas under municipal corporations, including Hyderabad, Secunderabad and the GHMC area (which extends into parts of Medchal-Malkajgiri, Ranga Reddy and Sangareddy). Zone I carries the highest rates.
Zone II — Municipalities
Municipalities and nagar panchayat (smaller town) areas across the state.
Zone III — Rural
Gram panchayat / rural areas - the remaining areas of the state.
What Every Telangana 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 Telangana Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across Hyderabad's IT corridor, retail, pharma and security establishments, so Telangana employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Telangana Labour Department
Download the Telangana Minimum Wages - Official Notification (G.O.Ms.No.6, w.e.f. 01.06.2026)
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 Telangana in 2026?
Under the new comprehensive fixation (effective 1 June 2026), Telangana minimum wages range from Rs.14,000/month (Unskilled, Zone III) to Rs.20,000/month (Highly-skilled, Zone I / Hyderabad). These are consolidated monthly figures with VDA included.
Which zone does Hyderabad fall under?
Zone I - the highest-wage zone. Zone I covers municipal corporation areas including Hyderabad, Secunderabad and the GHMC area.
What changed in Telangana minimum wages in June 2026?
Telangana replaced 1,548 older schedule-wise rates with a single skill-based structure - 4 skill categories across 3 zones - effective 1 June 2026. It was described as the state's first comprehensive minimum wage fixation.
How many zones does Telangana use?
Three: Zone I (municipal corporations, including Hyderabad/GHMC), Zone II (municipalities), and Zone III (rural / gram panchayat areas). The older system used only two zones.
Is VDA shown separately in the new Telangana rates?
No. The new figures are consolidated monthly amounts with VDA folded in. The earlier schedule-wise system showed Basic + a half-yearly VDA separately.
What is the daily minimum wage in Telangana?
Daily wage is conventionally monthly divided by 26 working days. For a Zone I Unskilled worker at Rs.16,000/month, that is about Rs.615/day.
Do these rates apply to construction and security workers?
Under the unified structure, workers map to the unskilled / semi-skilled / skilled / highly-skilled bands by zone. Some sectors may still have specific schedules during the transition - verify your sector before applying these figures.
What is the penalty for paying below minimum wage in Telangana?
Paying below the notified minimum is illegal. Employers face fines, wage arrears with compensation, and potential prosecution under the applicable wage law.
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 Telangana with other states, or see the full national overview.
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