Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Abhijit Divekar
Quick answer: From 1 October 2026, the Uttar Pradesh minimum wage in Category I (Noida and Ghaziabad) is ₹13,883.59 a month for unskilled, ₹15,271.41 for semi-skilled and ₹17,106.39 for skilled workers.
Lower rates apply in Category II (other cities with a Nagar Nigam) and Category III (the rest of the state). The rates cover 74 scheduled employments and run until 31 March 2027.
Effective: 1 October 2026 · Next change: 1 April 2027 · Last verified: 4 November 2026
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Uttar Pradesh minimum wage rates
Since April 2026, Uttar Pradesh splits the state into three categories. Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida, Greater Noida) and Ghaziabad are Category I, every other district with a Nagar Nigam (such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi) is Category II, and all remaining districts are Category III. The dearness allowance part changes from 1 April and 1 October.
| Skill grade | Category I | Category II | Category III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹13,883.59 | ₹13,189.68 | ₹12,530.25 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹15,271.41 | ₹14,507.46 | ₹13,782.30 |
| Skilled | ₹17,106.39 | ₹16,250.86 | ₹15,438.42 |
Source note: These October 2026 rates come from the Uttar Pradesh order of 21 October 2026 (I/1498869/2026). As of 6 November 2026 it is not yet on uplabour.gov.in, which still shows the April 2026 order. We will link the official copy once it is posted.
Monthly rates under the UP Labour Department order dated 21 October 2026 (dearness allowance from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027). UP has no separate highly skilled grade in this order. For a daily rate, divide the monthly figure by 26.
What counts toward the Uttar Pradesh 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.
Uttar Pradesh rules that catch small employers out
- The category follows the workplace: a Lucknow company with a team in Noida pays Category I rates to the Noida staff and Category II rates in Lucknow.
- Noida is not Delhi: Noida and Ghaziabad follow UP rates, which are lower than Delhi’s. Payroll copied from a Delhi template can overpay or apply the wrong rules.
- No PT or LWF: Uttar Pradesh does not deduct professional tax or Labour Welfare Fund from salaries, so neither should appear on a UP payslip.
- Two changes a year: the dearness allowance is reset from 1 April and 1 October, and orders can arrive weeks after the start date. Pay arrears from the start date.
- Contract staff count too: workers supplied by an agency must get at least the rate for their category and grade.
Worked example: a 10-person team in Noida
Say you run a 10-person shop or office in Noida (Category I), with 6 unskilled staff, 3 semi-skilled and 1 skilled, all paid exactly the minimum.
| Grade | Staff | Minimum each | Total a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | 6 | ₹13,883.59 | ₹83,302 |
| Semi-skilled | 3 | ₹15,271.41 | ₹45,814 |
| Skilled | 1 | ₹17,106.39 | ₹17,106 |
| Total | 10 | ₹1,46,222 |
For one unskilled employee on ₹13,883.59, 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) | ₹1,666 | ₹1,666 |
| ESIC at 0.75% and 3.25% (wages up to ₹21,000) | ₹105 | ₹452 |
When Uttar Pradesh rates change next
The current rates run from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so the next change is due from 1 April 2027. The three-category structure came in with the interim order of 17 April 2026, and the UP Code on Wages Rules may change how rates are fixed in future. We update this page when a new order is published.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Uttar Pradesh from October 2026?
In Category I (Noida and Ghaziabad): ₹13,883.59 a month for unskilled, ₹15,271.41 for semi-skilled and ₹17,106.39 for skilled work, from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
What is the minimum wage in Lucknow?
Lucknow has a Nagar Nigam, so it is Category II: ₹13,189.68 a month for unskilled, ₹14,507.46 for semi-skilled and ₹16,250.86 for skilled workers.
Is Noida minimum wage the same as Delhi?
No. Noida is in Uttar Pradesh and pays UP Category I rates (₹13,883.59 for unskilled), which are lower than Delhi’s ₹18,456.
Which districts are Category I, II and III in UP?
Category I is Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad. Category II is every other district with a Nagar Nigam. Category III is all remaining districts.
Is there professional tax in Uttar Pradesh?
No. UP does not levy professional tax or Labour Welfare Fund on salaries. PF and ESIC apply as usual.
Related Uttar Pradesh guides
- Uttar Pradesh 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 from the Uttar Pradesh order of 21 October 2026 (not yet on uplabour.gov.in). Last checked 6 November 2026.
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