Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Experts Advocate for Higher, More Frequent Minimum Wage Revisions
Experts in India are saying that the minimum wage, which is the least amount of money workers should earn, should be increased and updated more often.
Right now, the minimum wage is Rs 176 per day, which hasn't changed in a long time.
Experts think it should be raised to keep up with the cost of living and inflation.
They also suggest that the minimum wage should be reviewed every three years to make sure it's fair.
The government is working on this, but they haven't said how much the new minimum wage will be or how often it will be updated.
Some people are worried that higher wages might make it harder for companies and could cause inflation, but others think it will help workers live better lives.
Experts call for a higher minimum wage and more frequent revisions to accommodate inflation and price pressures.
The current national floor wage is Rs 176, last updated in 2017, bringing monthly minimum earnings to Rs 5,500.
The government is forming a Central Advisory Board to recommend India’s first statutory national floor wage under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Experts suggest revising the minimum wage every three years to keep it contemporary and address low wages in the informal sector.
Higher minimum wages could improve living standards for workers but may impact company balance sheets and inflation.
- Who
- Experts and the Indian government
- What
- Discussion on revising the national floor wage and its frequency
- When
- The current wage was last updated in 2017; the government is currently working on revisions
- Where
- India
- Why
- To accommodate price pressures and improve the standard of living for lower-income workers
Experts
Government
Minimum Wage Level
Experts
Experts call for a significantly higher minimum wage level to accommodate price pressures and inflation.
Government
The government is working to revise the national floor wage but has not yet specified the new level.
Revision Frequency
Experts
Experts suggest revising the minimum wage every three years to keep it contemporary.
Government
The government has not announced a specific frequency for revisions.
- Current National Floor Wage
- Rs 176 (last updated in 2017)
- Monthly Minimum Earnings
- Rs 5,500
- Nominal Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (2023-24)
- Rs 4,122 in rural areas, Rs 6,996 in urban India
- Proposed Central Advisory Board
- To recommend India’s first statutory national floor wage under the Code on Wages, 2019
- Impact on Informal Sector
- Experts believe the proposed wage will help address low wages in the informal sector.