Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Abhijit Divekar
Quick answer: From 1 October 2026, the Gujarat minimum wage in cities (Zone I) is ₹524.50 a day for unskilled, ₹534.50 for semi-skilled and ₹546.50 for skilled workers.
That is about ₹13,637, ₹13,897 and ₹14,209 for a 26-day month. Each rate is the basic wage plus a special allowance of ₹72.50 a day, valid until 31 March 2027.
Effective: 1 October 2026 · Next change: 1 April 2027 · Last verified: 4 November 2026
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Gujarat minimum wage rates
Gujarat fixes the minimum wage per day, in two zones and three skill grades. The basic wage has applied since April 2023; only the special allowance moves, every six months from 1 April and 1 October. The monthly column is the daily total multiplied by 26 working days.
| Zone / grade | Basic per day | + Special allowance | Total per day | 26-day month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone I: municipal corporations, municipalities (nagar palikas) and urban development authority areas | ||||
| Unskilled | ₹452 | ₹72.50 | ₹524.50 | ₹13,637 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹462 | ₹72.50 | ₹534.50 | ₹13,897 |
| Skilled | ₹474 | ₹72.50 | ₹546.50 | ₹14,209 |
| Zone II: all other areas of Gujarat | ||||
| Unskilled | ₹441 | ₹72.50 | ₹513.50 | ₹13,351 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹452 | ₹72.50 | ₹524.50 | ₹13,637 |
| Skilled | ₹462 | ₹72.50 | ₹534.50 | ₹13,897 |
These rates cover the 46 scheduled employments, which include shops and offices. Six employments (brick making, zari, readymade garments, salt, tobacco and bidi, and agriculture) have their own basic rates and a higher special allowance of ₹158.50 a day.
What counts toward the Gujarat minimum wage
Compare the minimum with the parts of pay the order fixes: the basic wage and the dearness or special allowance. House rent allowance, conveyance, overtime, incentives and bonus are paid on top and do not help you meet the floor. A pay slip can show a healthy gross and still be below the minimum if the basic is set too low.
Under the Code on Wages, “wages” for PF, gratuity and bonus is also built on basic plus dearness allowance, and if allowances make up more than half of total pay, the excess is added back. Setting the basic correctly therefore fixes several calculations at once.
Gujarat rules that catch small employers out
- Contract workers in any business: a second Labour Commissioner circular of 5 October 2026 says contractors must pay these same rates, plus the ₹72.50 allowance, even in businesses that are not on the scheduled list.
- Part-time staff: up to four hours a day earns half the daily minimum plus allowance; more than four hours earns the full rate.
- Apprentices on skilled or semi-skilled work: at least 75% of the full rate for the first three months, then the full rate.
- Equal pay: men, women and transgender employees get equal wages for equal work.
- Piece-rate workers must earn at least the daily rate for a normal working day.
Worked example: a 10-person team in Ahmedabad
Say you run a 10-person shop or office in Ahmedabad (Zone I, municipal corporation), with 6 unskilled staff, 3 semi-skilled and 1 skilled, all paid exactly the minimum.
| Grade | Staff | Minimum each | Total a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | 6 | ₹13,637 | ₹81,822 |
| Semi-skilled | 3 | ₹13,897 | ₹41,691 |
| Skilled | 1 | ₹14,209 | ₹14,209 |
| Total | 10 | ₹1,37,722 |
For one unskilled employee on ₹13,637, the central contributions work out like this. PF becomes compulsory once you have 20 employees (or if you register voluntarily), and ESIC applies in notified areas once you have 10.
| Item | Employee pays | Employer pays |
|---|---|---|
| PF at 12% (wages below the ₹25,000 PF ceiling) | ₹1,636 | ₹1,636 |
| ESIC at 0.75% and 3.25% (wages up to ₹21,000) | ₹103 | ₹444 |
When Gujarat rates change next
The current special allowance of ₹72.50 runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so the next change is due from 1 April 2027. When the new circular is issued, apply it from 1 April even if it comes out a few days later, and pay any difference as arrears.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Gujarat from 1 October 2026?
In Zone I it is ₹524.50 a day for unskilled, ₹534.50 for semi-skilled and ₹546.50 for skilled workers. In Zone II it is ₹513.50, ₹524.50 and ₹534.50. Each includes the ₹72.50 special allowance.
What is the monthly minimum wage in Gujarat?
For a 26-day month in Zone I: about ₹13,637 for unskilled, ₹13,897 for semi-skilled and ₹14,209 for skilled workers.
Which zone is my business in?
Zone I covers municipal corporation and municipality areas and urban development authority areas, so a shop in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara or Rajkot city pays Zone I rates. Everything else is Zone II.
Do contract workers in Gujarat get the minimum wage?
Yes. A Labour Commissioner circular of 5 October 2026 requires contractors to pay these rates plus the ₹72.50 allowance, including in businesses outside the scheduled list.
When will Gujarat revise minimum wages next?
From 1 April 2027, when the special allowance is reset for April to September 2027.
Related Gujarat guides
- Gujarat labour law compliance: the full guide
- Minimum wages October 2026: all states and the free checker
- PF wage ceiling of ₹25,000: what changes for employers
- ESIC wage ceiling 2026: employer guide
HRTailor runs payroll and statutory compliance for companies with 5 to 100 employees: minimum wage checks at every revision, PF, ESIC and every state deduction, filed on time.
A guide for employers, not legal advice. Rates checked against the Gujarat government notification; last verified 4 November 2026.
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