Reported Central-sphere wage schedules set revised minimum wages effective October 1, 2026, including the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA). The amounts differ by scheduled employment, worker category, area, and work conditions; they are not one nationwide rate for every worker. The October figures below come from copies of Labour Bureau orders, so check the applicable original notice before relying on a rate.
What changed on October 1, 2026?
Copies of the October orders state that the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW), on Base 2016=100, reached 431.42, up 6.62 points from 424.80. The orders say the VDA calculation uses the CPI-IW level as of June 30, 2026. VDA is a cost-of-living allowance added to the basic minimum wage; Central-sphere VDA is generally revised twice a year, effective April 1 and October 1, according to government background material.
The reported agriculture and industrial schedules below illustrate the revision, not a complete list of October rates. Their figures are supported by copies of orders rather than an original October order PDF located on the official Labour Commissioner or Ministry domains. Consult the official notice for the employment and location concerned before using a figure for a wage decision or payroll.
Agriculture minimum wages by area and category
The reported agriculture schedule lists total daily minimum wages, including VDA, effective October 1, 2026. Amounts are rupees per day; the applicable area and worker classification matter.
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| Worker category | Area A | Area B | Area C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹537 | ₹491 | ₹486 |
| Semi-skilled / unskilled supervisory | ₹587 | ₹539 | ₹496 |
| Skilled / clerical | ₹637 | ₹587 | ₹538 |
| Highly skilled | ₹705 | ₹655 | ₹587 |
The order copy shows the total as basic wage plus VDA. For example, its unskilled Area A entry is ₹333 basic wage + ₹204 VDA = ₹537 per day. It also says the VDA is rounded up to the next higher rupee. Confirm the worker’s area and category against the original applicable schedule rather than assuming a nearby location or similar job uses the same row.
Industrial schedule: above-ground and below-ground work
A separate reported industrial-worker schedule distinguishes work above and below ground. These are daily amounts in rupees from that schedule, not rates for every industrial job or other scheduled employment.
| Worker category | Above ground | Below ground |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹565 | ₹704 |
| Semi-skilled / unskilled supervisory | ₹704 | ₹840 |
| Skilled / clerical | ₹840 | ₹979 |
| Highly skilled | ₹979 | ₹1,095 |
How to identify the rate that applies
Do not select a figure from a headline or a general category alone. Match the relevant order to the job and workplace, then use the exact row and column it specifies.
- Identify the scheduled employment. The agriculture table and industrial table are different schedules; another employment may have its own rates and classifications.
- Match the worker category. Check the order’s definition for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, clerical, or highly skilled work.
- Apply the relevant location or work-condition column. Agriculture uses Areas A, B, and C; the industrial example separates above-ground and below-ground work.
- Check the wage components. Where the notice lists basic wage and VDA separately, use those figures and the stated total. The headline total alone does not show how the allowance was calculated.
- Verify the effective date and original notice. Confirm that the schedule applies from October 1, 2026, and that it covers the particular employment and worker.
What the published figures establish—and what they do not
The October order copies support the CPI-IW figures and the agriculture and industrial rates shown here. A targeted search for file number 6/1/2026-VDA on the Chief Labour Commissioner and Ministry domains did not return the original October 2026 order PDF. The available figures therefore should be treated as reported schedule values pending confirmation against the original official notices. They do not establish a comprehensive set of rates for every Central-sphere employment, and they should not be described as applying to every worker in India.
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For context on the calculation method, the official April 2026 order reported CPI-IW at 424.80, up from 413.52 by 11.28 points, and said VDA was rounded up to the next higher rupee under a Minimum Wages Advisory Board decision. Those are April figures and methodology context, not the October CPI increase. Read the Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) April 2026 order.
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