The Odisha government has announced a uniform revision in the minimum wage rates across all worker categories in the state.
Effective from October 1, 2026, workers falling under the unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled categories will see a daily hike of Rs 6 in their overall earnings.
The notification, issued by Indramani Tripathy, IAS, Labour Commissioner, Odisha, establishes the revised Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) to cushion employees in both the organised and unorganised sectors against the high cost of essential goods.
CPI-Linked Wage Adjustment
The revision follows the established biannual statutory adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for industrial workers (base 2016=100). Over the preceding half-year, the average CPI rose from 147.50 to 149.80, recording an increase of 2.30 points.
Under the state’s formula, VDA adjustments occur twice annually—on April 1 and October 1—at a fixed rate of Rs 2.60 per point rise in the index. Consequently, this point increase translated to a flat addition of Rs 6 per day to the existing wage structure.
The revision exercises authority derived from the State Government Order No. 5308, dated July 18, 2024, which framed the underlying basic wage schedule for state workers.
Revised Wage Rates Structure
| Category | Former Daily Wage | Revised Daily Wage (incl. VDA) | Net Increase |
| Unskilled | Rs 472 | Rs 478 | + Rs 6 |
| Semi-Skilled | Rs 522 | Rs 528 | + Rs 6 |
| Skilled | Rs 572 | Rs 578 | + Rs 6 |
| Highly Skilled | Rs 622 | Rs 628 | + Rs 6 |
Impact Across Organised and Unorganised Sectors
This adjustment guarantees an updated earnings floor for thousands of labourers throughout Odisha, providing an essential financial buffer amidst fluctuating market prices. Labour unions and worker groups have welcomed the timely adjustment, highlighting that structured VDA revisions are vital to safeguarding the purchasing power of daily wage earners.
