Uttar Pradesh introduces revised wage structure after unrest in Noida and Greater Noida
April 18, 2026: The Uttar Pradesh government has revised minimum wage rates following recent unrest in Noida and Greater Noida, where workers staged protests demanding higher pay. The updated rates, approved by the Governor and officially notified, are now legally in force. The move is aimed at easing tensions and restoring industrial stability in the region.
Acting on recommendations of a high-level committee, the government has introduced a three-tier wage structure based on cost of living. Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad fall in the top category, with monthly wages set at ₹13,690 for unskilled workers, ₹15,059 for semi-skilled workers, and ₹16,868 for skilled workers. The second category, covering districts with municipal corporations, has slightly lower rates, while the third category—comprising remaining districts—has wages starting at ₹12,356 for unskilled workers. All figures include both basic pay and Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA).
The revision comes after delays in implementing proposed wage updates in 2019 and 2024, which had widened the gap between earnings and living costs. The government said the latest step factors in Consumer Price Index-based adjustments and is intended to provide relief to workers while ensuring smooth production cycles and maintaining industrial peace across the state.