Bihar revises minimum wages from 1 October 2026: Rs 443 a day for unskilled workers, up to Rs 682 for highly skilled
TaxByKK · Compliance News · taxbykk.com3 Nov 2026
In short
The Bihar Labour Resources Department has notified revised minimum wages under the Code on Wages, 2019 and the Code on Wages (Bihar) Rules, 2026, effective 1 October 2026. Daily rates are Rs 443 for unskilled, Rs 459 for semi-skilled, Rs 560 for skilled and Rs 682 for highly skilled workers, each up Rs 7 to Rs 10 from the earlier rates. A third schedule fixes piece rates for 12 scheduled employments. The rates are calculated tentatively on the consumer price index and still need approval of the State Advisory Board once it is formed.
- Authority
- Government of Bihar, Labour Resources and Migrant Workers Welfare Department
- Notification
- S.O. 252 dated 3 November 2026, published in the Bihar Gazette (Extraordinary) of 4 November 2026
- Type
- Notification of minimum wages
- Effective from
- 1 October 2026
- Law
- Section 6 of the Code on Wages, 2019, read with Rule 5 of the Code on Wages (Bihar) Rules, 2026
- Basis
- All-India Consumer Price Index, monthly figures for January to June 2026 listed in Schedule I (148.6 to 151.9 on the 2016=100 series)
- Language of the document
- Hindi
What changed
| Item | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled (Schedule II) | Rs 436 a day | Rs 443 a day (up Rs 7) |
| Semi-skilled | Rs 452 a day | Rs 459 a day (up Rs 7) |
| Skilled | Rs 551 a day | Rs 560 a day (up Rs 9) |
| Highly skilled | Rs 672 a day | Rs 682 a day (up Rs 10) |
| Stone carrying within a quarter mile, per 100 cubic feet (Schedule III, example) | Rs 943 | Rs 958 (up Rs 15) |
| Soil cutting, soft soil per 90 cubic feet (Schedule III, example) | Rs 436 | Rs 443 (up Rs 7) |
The notification says the rates are worked out tentatively and will be ratified once the State Advisory Board under the Code is constituted. It does not state a monthly figure for each category; it gives the method: daily rate multiplied by 26 for the monthly rate and monthly divided by 26 for the daily rate.
Who it applies to
- Employers in Bihar, including those in scheduled employments such as stone breaking and crushing
- Workers in Bihar and their representatives
- Contractors and payroll teams
- CAs, CSs and labour lawyers advising Bihar establishments
What to do
- Update payroll for 1 October 2026 and work out arrears for October onwards if wages were paid at the old rates.
- Check Schedule III for the 12 scheduled employments if you pay piece rates.
- Note that the new daily rates include payment for the weekly rest day; overtime is payable under Rules 6 and 7 of the Bihar Rules.
- Watch for the ratification by the State Advisory Board.
Reference
Government of Bihar, Labour Resources and Migrant Workers Welfare Department, Notification S.O. 252 dated 3 November 2026 (Bihar Gazette Extraordinary, 4 November 2026), Minimum wages under the Code on Wages, 2019 with effect from 1 October 2026.
Read the official PDF: Bihar notification (Hindi)Written by TaxByKK from the official notification. Check the official text before you act on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new minimum wage for unskilled workers in Bihar?
Rs 443 a day from 1 October 2026.
Do men and women get the same rate?
Yes. The notification says male and female workers receive equal wages for the same or similar work.
Are the rates final?
They are calculated tentatively and need approval of the State Advisory Board after it is constituted.