The Labour & Employment Department, Government of Gujarat has released the revised minimum wages notification effective from 1st October 2025 to 31st March 2026. This update is crucial for HR managers, payroll teams, compliance officers, contractors, and principal employers across the state, as it determines the statutory floor wages payable to employees engaged in all 46 scheduled employments.

📢 Key Highlight: Special Allowance (VDA) Revision

The Government has revised the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI – Ahmedabad Centre).

• Effective Date: 01 October 2025
• Validity: Up to 31 March 2026
• Revised VDA: ₹48.50 per day (Uniform for Zone I & II)
• Monthly Equivalent: ₹1,261 (for 26 working days)

📊 Minimum Wages in Gujarat (Oct 2025 – Mar 2026)

Below is the category-wise and zone-wise structure combining Basic Wages + VDA (newly revised):

👉 These wage rates are applicable to all scheduled employments notified under the Gujarat Minimum Wages Act.

⚖️ Legal Backing

This notification has been issued under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (till fully replaced by the Code on Wages, 2019).

• Binding Nature: Employers cannot pay less than the prescribed minimum wage.
• Penalty for Non-Compliance: Fine up to ₹500 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months under Section 22 of the Act.
• Applicability: Covers direct employees, contract labour, casual workers, and outsourced staff.

🏢 Employer Compliance Checklist

To stay compliant with the Oct 2025 – Mar 2026 Gujarat Minimum Wages Notification, employers must:

✅ Update Payroll: Revise wage structures by adding the new VDA from 1 October 2025.
✅ Revise Registers: Ensure Form B (Register of Wages) and wage slips reflect updated rates.
✅ PF & ESIC: Calculate contributions based on revised gross wages (Basic + VDA).
✅ Professional Tax (PT) & MLWF: Adjust deductions/contributions in line with updated wages.
✅ Contract Labour: Issue circulars to all contractors/vendors to comply; liability rests with the Principal Employer.
✅ Display Notice: Exhibit the revised wage rates at a prominent place in the establishment as per rules.

📌 Conclusion

The Gujarat Minimum Wages Notification for Oct 2025 – Mar 2026 has introduced a revised VDA of ₹48.50 per day, raising the effective wages for Skilled, Semi-Skilled, and Unskilled categories across both Zone I and Zone II.

For businesses, timely compliance is not just a legal obligation but also ensures smooth audits, protection from labour disputes, and goodwill with employees.

🔑 Pro Tip: Maintain a Compliance Matrix covering PF, ESIC, PT, MLWF, wage registers, and challans for every month. This single dashboard helps in audit defence, vendor monitoring, and risk management.

✅ Stay Updated: For more such updates on minimum wages, EPFO notifications, ESIC changes, labour law compliance, and statutory deadlines, follow blog.pcsmgmt.com.