Notice No. ST/(CPI)/2026-27/1980, dated 7th September 2026, issued by the Labour Commissioner, UT Chandigarh, increases minimum wages according to the Cost of Living Index (CPI) during the half-year ended March 2026. The average CPI index increased from 2245 to 2270, that is, an increase of 25 points, resulting in an increase of Rs. 175/month in the minimum wage in all categories due to the neutralization factor (Rs. 7 per point) of the Minimum Wages Act.

Key highlights:

Wage hike of Rs. 175/month (or proportionate daily rate) across all employee categories in Chandigarh
New monthly rates range from Rs. 14,737 (Unskilled) to Rs. 15,812 (Highly Skilled)
Separate, slightly different rates apply for Hotels, Restaurants, Tea Stalls and Halwais — with variants for "with food & lodging," "without," and "food & lodging only"
Nine employee categories covered: Unskilled, Semi-Skilled-I/II, Skilled-I/II, Highly Skilled, and Class I/II/III Staff
Applies for a fixed 6-month window: 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026, after which rates will be revised again based on the next CPI cycle
Cost-of-living adjustment ratio fixed at 7:1 (7 parts cash, 1 part meal/tea allowance) where relevant
Employers providing accommodation can deduct a maximum of Rs. 50/month from wages
Detailed category definitions attached (e.g., Unskilled = manual labour like lifting, cleaning, guarding; Highly Skilled = graduate engineers, managers, officers)

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Chandigarh Minimum Wages Notification (April 2026)