Telangana revised minimum wages under Code on Wages take effect from 1 June 2026
Telangana's revised minimum wages under the Code on Wages, 2019 came into effect on 1 June 2026, with four skill categories, three zones and e-commerce, courier and LPG distribution brought under the wage net.
Summary
Telangana's revised minimum wages, notified through Government Order (GO) No. 6 under the Code on Wages, 2019, came into effect across the State on 1 June 2026. The notification groups workers into four skill categories (unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled) and divides the State into three wage zones. The minimum monthly wage for highly skilled workers in Zone 1 is ₹20,000. E-commerce, courier services and LPG distribution have been brought under minimum wages. Work beyond eight hours a day is to be paid as overtime, the principal employer is liable when a contractor fails to pay wages, and the government statement says wages must be paid by electronic transfer or cheque, not cash. The Code on Wages, 2019 consolidates four laws: the Payment of Wages Act, 1936; the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965; and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. It is one of the four Labour Codes made effective from 21 November 2025.
Key facts
- Effective
- 1 June 2026
- Order
- GO No. 6, under the Code on Wages, 2019
- Skill categories
- Unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, highly skilled
- Zones
- Three wage zones
- Highly skilled, Zone 1
- ₹20,000 a month
- New sectors
- E-commerce, courier services, LPG distribution
- Code on Wages, 2019 subsumes
- Payment of Wages Act 1936, Minimum Wages Act 1948, Payment of Bonus Act 1965, Equal Remuneration Act 1976
- Labour Codes in force
- 21 November 2025 (four Codes)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Telangana's revised minimum wages that took effect on 1 June 2026 were notified under which law?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Code on Wages, 2019
GO No. 6 activates the provisions of the Code on Wages, 2019, which has replaced the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Under Telangana's revised minimum wages effective 1 June 2026, the minimum monthly wage for highly skilled workers in Zone 1 is:
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Correct answer: A — ₹20,000
Both BusinessLine (PTI) and ETV Bharat report ₹20,000 a month for highly skilled workers in Zone 1.
Which of the following laws were subsumed in the Code on Wages, 2019? 1. Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 2. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 3. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 Select the correct answer:
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
The Code on Wages, 2019 amalgamates the Payment of Wages Act 1936, Minimum Wages Act 1948, Payment of Bonus Act 1965 and Equal Remuneration Act 1976. The Industrial Disputes Act is not among them.