Minimum wages in Karnataka
Minimum Wages in Karnataka: Latest Rates, Categories and Applicability for 2026
The Government of Karnataka, through a notification dated 22nd May 2026, has announced the final minimum wage rates for various scheduled employments in the state. The new rates include an increase of around 60% in the minimum wages.
Earlier, different minimum wage rates were fixed for different scheduled employments. Under the new notification, a uniform minimum wage rate has been introduced for all scheduled employments.Â
The notification contains five annexures:
- Annexure 1: Covers 61 scheduled employments
- Annexure 2: Covers 4 scheduled employments
- Annexure 3: Covers 18 new scheduled employments
- Annexure 4: Provides the minimum wage rates for scheduled employments covered under Annexures 1 and 3
- Annexure 5: Provides the classification of different categories of employees
The revised minimum wages apply to various scheduled employments, including Shops and Commercial Establishments, Hospitals, Security Agencies and others.
The notification has also divided the state into three zones:
- Zone 1: Areas falling within the limits of the Greater Bengaluru Authority
- Zone 2: All other Mahanagara Palikes (Municipal Corporations) and all District Headquarters in the state
- Zone 3: All other areas not covered under Zone 1 and Zone 2Â
The updated minimum wage rates are given in the table below.
| Skill Category | Zone | Daily Basic Wage | Monthly Basic Wage | VDA (Daily) | VDA (Monthly) | Total Daily Wage | Total Monthly Wage |
| Highly Skilled | Zone 1 | ₹1,196.00 | ₹31,114.02 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹1,236.33 | ₹32,144.82 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone 2 | ₹1,087.00 | ₹28,285.47 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹1,127.53 | ₹29,316.27 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone 3 | ₹989.00 | ₹25,714.07 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹1,028.65 | ₹26,744.87 |
| Skilled | Zone 1 | ₹1,087.00 | ₹28,285.47 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹1,127.55 | ₹29,316.27 |
| Skilled | Zone 2 | ₹989.00 | ₹25,714.07 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹1,028.65 | ₹26,744.87 |
| Skilled | Zone 3 | ₹899.00 | ₹23,376.43 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹938.74 | ₹24,407.23 |
| Semi-Skilled | Zone 1 | ₹989.00 | ₹25,714.07 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹1,028.65 | ₹26,744.87 |
| Semi-Skilled | Zone 2 | ₹899.00 | ₹23,376.43 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹938.74 | ₹24,407.23 |
| Semi-Skilled | Zone 3 | ₹817.35 | ₹21,251.30 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹857.00 | ₹22,282.10 |
| Unskilled | Zone 1 | ₹899.00 | ₹23,376.43 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹938.74 | ₹24,407.23 |
| Unskilled | Zone 2 | ₹817.35 | ₹21,251.30 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹857.00 | ₹22,282.10 |
| Unskilled | Zone 3 | ₹743.05 | ₹19,319.36 | ₹39.65 | ₹1,030.80 | ₹782.70 | ₹20,350.16 |
Skill Category:
The skill categories have been defined as follows:
- Unskilled Workers: Workers who mainly perform physical work and simple tasks that do not require much judgement or previous experience. Basic knowledge of the work environment and physical labour are the main requirements.
- Semi-Skilled Workers: Workers who perform routine and repetitive tasks with limited scope for making their own decisions. Their work is carried out within fixed limits and usually follows the instructions or decisions of another person. They may also perform simple work using machines.
- Skilled Workers: Workers who perform responsible duties and can make decisions based on their own judgement. They have good knowledge of their occupation and work, along with the required education and experience.
- Highly Skilled Workers: Workers who have advanced knowledge and expertise in their occupation. They can handle complex responsibilities, supervise other workers, including skilled workers, and have the required special knowledge, qualifications and experience to achieve the expected results.
FAQs
1. What is the latest minimum wage notification in Karnataka?
The Government of Karnataka issued a notification dated 22 May 2026 announcing the revised minimum wage rates for various scheduled employments in the state.
2. What is the key change in Karnataka minimum wages?
The government has introduced a uniform minimum wage rate for all scheduled employments, instead of having different minimum wage rates for different employment schedules.
3. How many scheduled employments are covered under the notification?
The notification covers 61 scheduled employments under Annexure 1, 4 under Annexure 2 and 18 new scheduled employments under Annexure 3.
4. What are the skill categories under Karnataka minimum wages?
Workers are classified into four categories:
- Unskilled
- Semi-Skilled
- Skilled
- Highly Skilled
5. Which establishments are covered under the revised minimum wages?
The revised rates apply to various scheduled employments, including Shops and Commercial Establishments, Hospitals, Security Agencies and other employments covered under the notification.
6. How are employees classified for minimum wage purposes?
Employees are classified based on the nature of their work, level of skill, experience, knowledge, qualifications, responsibility and the degree of judgement required to perform their duties.
