Zone 1
Notified areas of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Minimum wages / Karnataka
Karnataka Minimum Wages 2026-27
Employer guide to the 22 May 2026 final notification, scheduled-employment and zone mapping, current court status and payroll checks.
Updated 22 September 2026Notification + court-status employer guide
01
Current 2026 position
Karnataka issued a final minimum-wage notification dated 22 May 2026 covering 81 scheduled employments.
The Government of Karnataka has published the final notification and annexure for the 2026 revision. Employers should identify the correct scheduled employment, skill category and location/zone before applying any wage figure.
The May 2026 notification is under challenge in WP 16145/2026. As of 22 September 2026, the Karnataka High Court has declined interim relief in the employers' challenge and referred the matter to a Division Bench. Because the litigation is continuing, payroll teams should check the latest court order and government notification before implementation.
Official government publication: Minimum Wages Final Notification and Annexure — Government of Karnataka. Current litigation reporting: Karnataka High Court update, 22 September 2026.
Why figures can differ
There is no single Karnataka minimum-wage number for every employer.
Karnataka wage schedules are employment-specific. The applicable amount can differ by scheduled employment, skill classification, designation and zone. Earlier April 2026 Basic + VDA schedules for Shops & Commercial Establishments are useful historical context, but employers should not rely on an older schedule where the 22 May 2026 final notification applies.
For live payroll, use the final notification and annexure for the relevant scheduled employment, then reconcile the applicable wage with attendance, payroll, contractor bills and statutory contributions.
02
Zone classification
Which Karnataka minimum-wage zone applies?
Zone 2
Notified areas of all Corporations in the State other than BBMP.
Zone 3
All District Headquarters other than places covered by Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Zone 4
All other places in Karnataka outside Zones 1, 2 and 3.
Employer action
Do not apply one Karnataka rate to every employee.
The correct payroll rate depends on scheduled employment, job classification, zone and current notified VDA.
01
Map establishment to the correct scheduled employment.
02
Map job titles to skilled / semi-skilled / unskilled / office categories.
03
Confirm Zone 1–4 by work location.
04
Reconcile Basic + VDA against payroll and contractor wages.
Common questions
Karnataka minimum wages 2026-27: employer FAQs
What is the latest Karnataka minimum-wage notification?
The Government of Karnataka issued a final notification dated 22 May 2026 revising minimum wages for 81 scheduled employments. The applicable figure must be taken from the annexure for the relevant employment, category and zone.
Is the 22 May 2026 notification under challenge?
Yes. WP 16145/2026 challenges the notification. As of 22 September 2026, interim relief was declined and the matter was referred to a Division Bench, so employers should keep checking the latest operative position.
Can one Karnataka rate be applied to every employee?
No. The correct rate depends on scheduled employment, skill/designation and location or zone. Payroll and contractor wage verification should be mapped to the applicable notification rather than a generic statewide figure.
Corporate enquiry