Minimum Wages for Shops and Establishment in Karnataka
The Department of Labour, Government of Karnataka, notifies minimum rates of wages and Cost of Living Allowance / Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961.
Below is the statutory minimum wage schedule revised w.e.f. 22nd May, 2026 (updated as on 23rd June, 2026), incorporating revised Basic pay and VDA rates.
Use the Period Selector on the top right to switch between the latest 22nd May, 2026 notification and previous historical periods.
📊 Minimum Wages Table (22nd May, 2026)
| Category | Zone | Basic Daily (₹) | Basic Monthly (₹) | VDA Daily (₹) | VDA Monthly (₹) | Total Daily (₹) | Total Monthly (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled | Zone -1 | 1196 | 31114.02 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 1236.33 | 32144.82 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone -2 | 1087 | 28285.47 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 1127.53 | 29316.27 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone -3 | 989 | 25714.07 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 1028.65 | 26744.87 |
| Skilled | Zone -1 | 1087 | 28285.47 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 1127.55 | 29316.27 |
| Skilled | Zone -2 | 989 | 25714.07 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 1028.65 | 26744.87 |
| Skilled | Zone -3 | 899 | 23376.43 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 938.74 | 24407.23 |
| Semi-Skilled | Zone -1 | 989 | 25714.07 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 1028.65 | 26744.87 |
| Semi-Skilled | Zone -2 | 899 | 23376.43 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 938.74 | 24407.23 |
| Semi-Skilled | Zone -3 | 817.35 | 21251.3 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 857 | 22282.1 |
| Un Skilled | Zone -1 | 899 | 23376.43 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 938.74 | 24407.23 |
| Un Skilled | Zone -2 | 817.35 | 21251.3 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 857 | 22282.1 |
| Un Skilled | Zone -3 | 743.05 | 19319.36 | 39.65 | 1030.8 | 782.7 | 20350.16 |
📊 High-Level Wage Summary (Effective 22nd May, 2026)
The table below summarizes total statutory minimum wages per day and per month across all skill levels and designated zones:
| Category | Zone - 1 (Daily / Monthly) | Zone - 2 (Daily / Monthly) | Zone - 3 (Daily / Monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled | ₹1,236.33 / ₹32,144.82 | ₹1,127.53 / ₹29,316.27 | ₹1,028.65 / ₹26,744.87 |
| Skilled | ₹1,127.55 / ₹29,316.27 | ₹1,028.65 / ₹26,744.87 | ₹938.74 / ₹24,407.23 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹1,028.65 / ₹26,744.87 | ₹938.74 / ₹24,407.23 | ₹857.00 / ₹22,282.10 |
| Unskilled | ₹938.74 / ₹24,407.23 | ₹857.00 / ₹22,282.10 | ₹782.70 / ₹20,350.16 |
📍 Karnataka Zone Classification Structure
Under the Karnataka minimum wage framework, geographic areas are grouped into 3 zones:
- Zone - 1: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits and all City Corporation areas across Karnataka (e.g., Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Davanagere, Ballari, Vijayapura, Shivamogga, Tumakuru) including 5 km periphery.
- Zone - 2: All District Headquarters, City Municipal Council (CMC) areas, and major industrial towns.
- Zone - 3: All Taluk Headquarters, Town Municipal Councils (TMCs), Town Panchayats, and rural areas not classified under Zone 1 or Zone 2.
💡 Key Statutory Compliance & Calculation Rules
- Monthly Wage Calculation Formula:
Monthly wages are statutory for 26 payable days in a calendar month:
Total Monthly Wage = Basic Monthly + VDA Monthly - Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA): For the period effective 22nd May 2026, the notified VDA is ₹39.65 per day (equivalent to ₹1,030.80 per month).
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Under the Karnataka Labour welfare notifications, employers are required to pay HRA at statutory percentages (typically 5% to 7.5% of wages or as prescribed by local industrial standing orders) where free housing accommodation is not provided.
- Overtime Compensation: Any employee working beyond 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week is entitled to overtime compensation at twice the normal hourly wage rate.
- EPF & ESIC Base: Basic + VDA constitutes the foundational gross wages for statutory deductions (EPF ceiling ₹15,000 / ESIC ceiling ₹21,000).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum wage for an office boy or helper in Bengaluru (Zone 1)?
An office boy or cleaner falls under the Unskilled category. In Zone 1 (Bengaluru), the revised statutory wage w.e.f. 22nd May 2026 is ₹938.74 per day or ₹24,407.23 per month.
What is the minimum wage for a software tester, technician, or accountant in Bengaluru?
Technical and clerical personnel generally fall under Skilled or Highly Skilled brackets depending on responsibilities:
- Skilled (Zone 1): ₹1,127.55 / day (₹29,316.27 / month)
- Highly Skilled (Zone 1): ₹1,236.33 / day (₹32,144.82 / month)
How often are minimum wages revised in Karnataka?
In Karnataka, the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) is revised annually with effect from 1st April based on the State Consumer Price Index numbers, with periodic notifications issued by the Karnataka Labour Commissioner.