The minimum wage rates in force in Karnataka by skill category, how they have been revised over time and the official notification behind them.
Zone 1 basic rates shown; VDA of about Rs 1,031 a month (published calculations) is payable on top, so the unskilled total is about Rs 24,407. 81 scheduled employments, 3 zones, increases of up to about 60%. Challenged in WP 16145/2026: on 21 Sep 2026 the High Court declined interim relief and tagged the petitions with pending Division Bench appeals; validity undecided. The Court also stayed State circulars deferring the new rates for contract workers. Earlier Zone 1 unskilled rate: Rs 15,701 (1 Apr 2025).
A single Karnataka notification of 22 May 2026 revises minimum wages for 81 scheduled employments in three zones, with increases of up to about 60 per cent. On 21 September 2026 the High Court declined to stay it and referred the challenge to a Division Bench.
Read the full explanationSummaries are for guidance only and are not a substitute for the official notification or professional advice.