Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: Complete Zone-Wise Rate Guide for Shops, Security, Construction and Commercial Establishments

A retail chain operating outlets in Hyderabad and in smaller towns across Telangana processed April 2026 salaries without updating for the revised Telangana minimum wages. The HR team had applied October 2025 VDA figures because nobody had set a reminder for the bi-annual April revision. When a labour inspector visited the Hyderabad outlet in May 2026, the records showed underpayment across all worker categories — at both Zone I and Zone II locations — for the full month of April. The arrear liability ran to over Rs. 1.7 lakh across 48 workers. The revision had been publicly notified by the Commissioner of Labour, Telangana, Hyderabad. Every employer in a scheduled employment was expected to implement it independently from 1 April 2026.

This guide covers the complete Telangana minimum wages effective from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026 — the VDA revision basis, zone definitions, and full rate tables for Shops and Commercial Establishments, Security Services, Building Operations, and Metal Foundries, drawn directly from the official notification.

Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: The VDA Revision Basis

The Telangana minimum wages revision from 1 April 2026 is driven by the bi-annual Consumer Price Index update declared by the Commissioner of Labour, Telangana. The CPI for Industrial Workers increased by 54 points — from 1,941 to 1,995 — for the half-year ending December 2025. This figure is used to calculate the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) payable in each scheduled employment from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. Consequently, employers who have not updated VDA in their April 2026 payroll are carrying an underpayment that attracts interest from the date it was due.

Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: Zone Definitions

Telangana minimum wages for Shops and Commercial Establishments apply across two zones. Identifying the correct zone for each establishment is the first step in wage compliance. Paying Zone II wages to workers in a Zone I location is an underpayment even if the total amount appears reasonable.

Zone	Areas Covered	Examples
Zone I	All Municipal Corporations in Telangana + Selection Grade and Special Grade Municipalities	Hyderabad (GHMC), Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam, Ramagundam and other Municipal Corporations
Zone II	Rest of the State — all areas not covered under Zone I	All other towns, semi-urban and rural areas of Telangana not covered by a Municipal Corporation or Selection/Special Grade Municipality

Security Services have a three-zone structure — Zone I (Municipal Corporations), Zone II (other urban areas), Zone III (rural/smaller areas). See the Security Services table below.

Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: Shops and Commercial Establishments (Complete Table)

The following table covers the complete Telangana minimum wages for Shops (retail, trading, service outlets) notified under G.O.Ms.No.116, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 07-12-2007. VDA of Rs. 9,408/month applies uniformly across both zones for all categories.

Designation / Category	Basic Zone I (₹)	Basic Zone II (₹)	VDA (₹)	Total Zone I (₹)	Total Zone II (₹)
SHOPS
Manager / Sales Manager / Security Officer / Computer Programmer	5,557	5,357	9,408	14,965	14,765
Asst. Manager / Accountant Supervisor / Purchaser	4,722	4,302	9,408	14,130	13,710
Salesman / Sales Representative / Bill Writer / Cashier / Tradesman / Type Writing Instructor	4,520	4,302	9,408	13,928	13,710
Clerk / Godown Incharge / Accounts Assistant / Typist / Receptionist / Lineman / Stenographer / Clerk-cum-Typist / Xerox Machine Operator / Clerks in STD, ISD, FAX / Asst. Salesman	4,102	3,886	9,408	13,510	13,294
Kolagari / Weighman / Milk Vendor in Milk Booths / Computer Operator	3,886	3,757	9,408	13,294	13,165
Bicycle Fitter / Attender / Peon / Water Boy / Shop Boy / Helper / Messenger / Gas Cylinder Carrier / Security Guard	3,700	3,370	9,408	13,108	12,778
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
Manager / Field Officer / Development Officer / Security Officer / Office Incharge / Computer Programmer	5,557	5,138	9,408	14,965	14,546
Accountant / Asst. Manager / Sales Executive / Supervisor / Purchaser / Store Keeper / Agent / Sales Promotion Employees	4,722	4,520	9,408	14,130	13,928
Salesman / Stenographer / Receptionist / Auction Bider / Tradesman / Type Writer Instructor / Electrician / Radio Mechanic / Optical Mechanic / Photographer / TV Mechanic / Fitter / Turner / Welder / Plumber / Mason (Skilled)	4,520	4,302	9,408	13,928	13,710
Clerk / Typist / Clerk-cum-Typist / Godown Incharge / Lineman / Asst. Salesman / Asst. Accountant / Xerox Machine Operator (Semi-Skilled A)	4,102	3,886	9,408	13,510	13,294
Weighman / Kolgari / Computer Operator (Semi-Skilled B)	3,886	3,757	9,408	13,294	13,165
Peon / Attender / Watchman / Water Boy / Helper / Messenger / Security Guard (Unskilled)	3,700	3,370	9,408	13,108	12,778
HAIR CUTTING / HAIR DRESSING SALOONS / BEAUTY PARLOURS
Manager / Shop Incharge	4,722	4,520	9,408	14,130	13,928
Hair Dresser / Hair Cutter / Beautician	4,520	4,302	9,408	13,928	13,710
Helper	3,700	3,370	9,408	13,108	12,778
TAILORING ESTABLISHMENTS
Cutter Master	4,722	4,302	9,408	14,130	13,710
Asst. Cutter / Tailor / Stitcher	4,520	4,302	9,408	13,928	13,710
Helper / Pressman	3,757	3,370	9,408	13,165	12,778
LAUNDRIES / DRY CLEANERS
Manager / Shop Incharge	4,722	4,520	9,408	14,130	13,928
Washerman (Laundry)	4,520	4,302	9,408	13,928	13,710
Clerk / Bill Writer	4,102	3,886	9,408	13,510	13,294
Helper / Pressman	3,700	3,370	9,408	13,108	12,778
OTHERS (Pharmacist / Goldsmith / AC Operator / Photo Frame Worker)
Pharmacist / Air Conditioner Plant Operator	4,722	4,520	9,408	14,130	13,928
Goldsmith	4,520	4,302	9,408	13,928	13,710
AC Plant Operator	4,102	4,062	9,408	13,510	13,470
Photo Frame Worker	3,757	3,370	9,408	13,165	12,778

Source: G.O.Ms.No.116, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 07-12-2007. Gazette No.705, dated 19-12-2007. VDA effective 01-04-2026 to 30-09-2026. CPI (Industrial Workers) 1,995 on 01-04-2026. Per-point VDA rate: Rs. 6.4. Points above base (525): 1,470. VDA = 1,470 × 6.4 = Rs. 9,408/month.

Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: Security Services (Three-Zone Table)

Security Services under Telangana minimum wages have a distinct three-zone structure and a separate VDA calculation — Rs. 9,483.75/month (1,405 CPI points × Rs. 6.75 per point), notified under G.O.Ms.No.43, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 28.05.2010. Zone III applies to smaller/rural areas not covered by Zone I or Zone II.

Designation	Skill Level	Basic Zone I (₹)	Basic Zone II (₹)	Basic Zone III (₹)	VDA (₹)	Total Zone I (₹)	Total Zone II (₹)	Total Zone III (₹)
Security Supervisor / Security Officer / Field Officer	Highly Skilled	7,500	6,500	5,000	9,484	16,984	15,984	14,484
Security Inspector / Asst. Security Inspector / Intelligence & Fire Fighting Personnel / Head Guard	Skilled	7,000	6,000	4,500	9,484	16,484	15,484	13,984
Asst. Security Inspector / Security Guards with Arms	Semi-Skilled	6,500	5,500	4,250	9,484	15,984	14,984	13,734
Security Guards without Arms	Unskilled	5,000	4,250	4,000	9,484	14,484	13,734	13,484

Source: G.O.Ms.No.43, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 28.05.2010. Gazette No.251, dated 02-06-2010. VDA effective 01-04-2026 to 30-09-2026. CPI base: 590. Current CPI points for VDA: 1,405. Per-point rate: Rs. 6.75. VDA = 1,405 × 6.75 = Rs. 9,483.75 (shown as Rs. 9,484 rounded).

Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: Building Operations and Road Construction

Building and road construction workers under Telangana minimum wages carry the same VDA as Shops (Rs. 9,408/month), notified under G.O.Ms.No.85, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 22-09-2007. These rates apply uniformly without zone differentiation.

Category	Skill	Basic (₹)	VDA (₹)	Total/Month (₹)
1st Class Mason / Carpenter / Painter / Mechanic / Stone Dresser / Piper / Fitter / Plumber / Tile Turner / Welder / Electrician / Machinist / Supervisor	Skilled	4,938	9,408	14,346
2nd Class Mason / Carpenter / Painter / Tinker / Sawer / Glassier / Brick Moulder / Asst. Fitter	Semi-Skilled	4,102	9,408	13,510
Mazdoor / Gang Mazdoor / Peon / Sweeper / Watchman / Security Guard	Unskilled	3,370	9,408	12,778
Clerks / Store-keeper / Muster Clerk / Typist / Steno / Accountant / Computer Operator	Other	4,302	9,408	13,710
ROAD CONSTRUCTION (Additional Categories over Building Operations)
Driver of Bulldozers / Earth Moving Machinery / Lorries / Road Rollers	Skilled	5,138	9,408	14,546
Tractor Drivers	Skilled	4,520	9,408	13,928
Drivers of Pump Engines and Motor Mills	Semi-Skilled	4,102	9,408	13,510
Pump and Engine Cleaner / Hammer Man / Fireman	Unskilled	3,370	9,408	12,778

Telangana Minimum Wages 2026: Metal Foundries and General Engineering

Metal Foundries and General Engineering carry a different VDA under Telangana minimum wages — Rs. 9,114/month — because the per-point VDA rate for this sector is Rs. 6.2 (lower than the Rs. 6.4 for Shops). Notified under G.O.Ms.No.88, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 28-09-2007.

Category	Skill	Basic (₹)	VDA (₹)	Total/Month (₹)
Foreman / Chargehand	Highly Skilled	6,050	9,114	15,164
Mechanic / Pattern Maker / Crane Driver / Plumber	Skilled A	4,783	9,114	13,897
Turner / Machinist / Moulder / Welder / Blacksmith / Electrician / Carpenter / Fitter	Skilled B	4,456	9,114	13,570
Core Maker / Driller / Painter / Winder / Tiner / Assembler / Punch and Press Operator	Skilled C	4,265	9,114	13,379
Grinder / Hammerman / Oilman / Wireman / Helper / Asst. to Skilled	Semi-Skilled	3,734	9,114	12,848
Peon / Attender / Watchman / Chowkidar / Office Boy / Cleaner / Gardener	Unskilled	3,263	9,114	12,377
OFFICE STAFF (Metal Foundries)
Manager	Management	5,749	9,114	14,863
Store Keeper / Accountant / Steno / Computer Operator	Office	4,265	9,114	13,379
Clerk / Typist / Cashier / Time Keeper	Office	4,007	9,114	13,121

Source: G.O.Ms.No.88, LET&F (Lab.II) Dept., dated 28-09-2007. Gazette No.621, dated 26-10-2007. VDA = 1,470 points × Rs. 6.2/point = Rs. 9,114/month.

How Telangana Minimum Wages VDA Is Calculated

The Telangana minimum wages VDA formula is straightforward once you know the three inputs: the CPI base point for the scheduled employment, the current CPI declared by the Commissioner of Labour, and the per-point rate notified in the original G.O. For the period 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026, the CPI (Industrial Workers) stands at 1,995 — a 54-point increase from the previous 1,941. Consequently, all sectors whose VDA is linked to Industrial Workers CPI saw a higher VDA this period compared to October 2025.

3 Compliance Mistakes Telangana Employers Commonly Make

Implementing Telangana minimum wages involves more than updating a VDA figure. The following errors appear regularly during labour inspections in Hyderabad and across Telangana.

Using the Same VDA for All Sectors

A significant error in Telangana minimum wages implementation is applying the Shops and Commercial VDA of Rs. 9,408 uniformly across all scheduled employments. Metal Foundries carry a lower VDA of Rs. 9,114 and Security Services carry Rs. 9,483.75 — both linked to different base indices and per-point rates. Over-paying VDA in some sectors while under-paying in others creates both financial waste and legal exposure simultaneously.

Applying Zone II Rates at Hyderabad Locations

Hyderabad falls under Zone I — the highest wage tier — for Telangana minimum wages. However, some employers with operations spread across Hyderabad and smaller Telangana towns apply Zone II rates across all locations to simplify payroll. As a result, Hyderabad workers receive below the Zone I minimum. Because Zone I covers all Municipal Corporations plus Selection and Special Grade Municipalities, this applies not just to GHMC but also to Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam, and other corporation cities.

Not Updating VDA After the Bi-Annual Press Note

The Commissioner of Labour declares the CPI change through a press note — not a gazette notification. Consequently, employers who only track gazette notifications miss the VDA revision entirely. The April 2026 CPI press note (signed by Spl. Commissioner Pamela Satpathy) was the trigger for updating Telangana minimum wages from 1 April 2026. The next revision will follow the same pattern — a press note declaring CPI for the half-year ending June 2026, effective from 1 October 2026. Monitoring the Commissioner of Labour, Telangana website for press notes is the only reliable way to catch these revisions on time. Futurex’s payroll compliance service monitors these notifications proactively for all client accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions: Telangana Minimum Wages 2026

What are the Telangana minimum wages for a salesman in Hyderabad from April 2026?

For a Salesman / Sales Representative / Bill Writer / Cashier / Tradesman in Hyderabad (Zone I), the Telangana minimum wages from 1 April 2026 are Rs. 13,928 per month (Basic Rs. 4,520 + VDA Rs. 9,408). For the same role in a Zone II location, the total is Rs. 13,710 per month (Basic Rs. 4,302 + VDA Rs. 9,408).

Until when are the current Telangana minimum wages valid?

The current Telangana minimum wages VDA revision is valid from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. The next revision will take effect from 1 October 2026, based on the CPI for the half-year ending June 2026. Employers should monitor the Commissioner of Labour, Telangana website and press notes for the next revision announcement, expected in August or September 2026.

Is the VDA the same for all scheduled employments in Telangana?

No. Telangana minimum wages carry different VDA rates for different scheduled employments because the per-point rate and base index differ by sector. For Shops and Commercial Establishments (and Building Operations), VDA is Rs. 9,408/month. For Metal Foundries and General Engineering, VDA is Rs. 9,114/month. For Security Services, VDA is Rs. 9,483.75/month. Employers must use the VDA figure that corresponds to the G.O. under which their scheduled employment is notified.

Which areas in Telangana fall under Zone I for minimum wages?

Zone I for Telangana minimum wages covers all Municipal Corporations in the state, along with Selection Grade and Special Grade Municipalities. This includes Hyderabad (GHMC), Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam, Ramagundam, and other cities that hold Municipal Corporation or equivalent status. All remaining areas — smaller towns, semi-urban, and rural locations — fall under Zone II for Shops and Commercial Establishments (and Zone III for Security Services).

Do Telangana minimum wages apply to contract workers and security agency staff?

Yes. The Minimum Wages Act applies to all workers in scheduled employments regardless of employment type — permanent, contract, temporary, or daily wage. Specifically, security agency staff must be paid the Security Services rates (not the general Shops rates) which are higher. Consequently, a principal employer who deploys contract security guards through an agency carries liability if the agency pays below the notified Telangana minimum wages for Security Services. See how Futurex handles labour compliance including contractor wage verification.