Telangana replaced its Minimum Wages Act, 1948 rates with a fresh notification issued under the Code on Wages, 2019, effective 1 June 2026. Unlike most states, the order does not separate a basic wage from a variable dearness allowance - it fixes a single consolidated monthly rate for each skill category, differentiated by three geographic zones. Ten new categories of employment, from e-commerce and courier services to LPG storage agencies, were brought within scope for the first time.
Two things to check first
The rate depends on zone: Municipal Corporations (Zone I) pay the highest rate, followed by Municipalities (Zone II) and rural/other areas (Zone III). Where an employer's existing wage for a category is already higher than the new rate, the employer must still add a 10% enhancement over the existing wage, not simply match the new minimum.
Scheduled Employments: Wage Rates by Skill Category and Zone
Every figure is taken from the live wage table published on Simpliance for Telangana, effective 1 June 2026. Total wages per day is the monthly figure divided by 26.
| Class of Employment | Zone | Basic Per Month (Rs.) | Total Per Day (Rs.) | Total Per Month (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | Zone I | 16,000 | 615.38 | 16,000 |
| Unskilled | Zone II | 15,000 | 576.91 | 15,000 |
| Unskilled | Zone III | 14,000 | 538.46 | 14,000 |
| Semi Skilled | Zone I | 17,000 | 653.85 | 17,000 |
| Semi Skilled | Zone II | 16,000 | 615.38 | 16,000 |
| Semi Skilled | Zone III | 15,000 | 576.91 | 15,000 |
| Skilled | Zone I | 18,500 | 711.54 | 18,500 |
| Skilled | Zone II | 17,500 | 673.08 | 17,500 |
| Skilled | Zone III | 16,500 | 634.62 | 16,500 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone I | 20,000 | 769.23 | 20,000 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone II | 19,000 | 730.77 | 19,000 |
| Highly Skilled | Zone III | 18,000 | 692.31 | 18,000 |
There is no separate VDA column for Telangana - the notified figure is already the full consolidated wage. A cost-of-living allowance will be notified separately every six months (1 April and 1 October) at Rs. 33.86 per index point above 443 points on the Consumer Price Index (base year 2001=100).