In a move aimed at adjusting wages to inflation, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified revised rates of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for workers across various sectors, effective from October 1, 2025. The revision follows the rise in the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW), which increased by 11.33 points, from 402.09 to 413.42 as of December 31, 2024.
The revised VDA applies to workers in agriculture, mining, construction, sweeping and cleaning, watch and ward services, and stone mines, among others.
📊 VDA Increase: Based on CPI-IW Change
- Base Year: 2016 = 100
- Previous CPI-IW (as of 31.12.2024): 402.09
- New CPI-IW: 413.42
- Increase: 11.33 points
This increase forms the basis for calculating the updated VDA payable per day in each sector.
🧑🌾 1. VDA for Agricultural Workers
🟢 Revised VDA Per Day:
| Category | Area A | Area B | Area C |
| Unskilled | ₹ 181 | ₹ 167 | ₹ 165 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹ 198 | ₹ 181 | ₹ 168 |
| Skilled | ₹ 215 | ₹ 198 | ₹ 181 |
| Highly Skilled | ₹ 237 | ₹ 221 | ₹ 198 |
💰 Total Minimum Wages Including VDA:
| Category | Area A | Area B | Area C |
| Unskilled | ₹ 514 | ₹ 470 | ₹ 465 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹ 562 | ₹ 516 | ₹ 475 |
| Skilled | ₹ 610 | ₹ 562 | ₹ 515 |
| Highly Skilled | ₹ 675 | ₹ 628 | ₹ 562 |
⛏️ 2. VDA for Mining Sector Workers
Covers a wide range of mines including iron ore, bauxite, mica, marble, quartz, granite, and more.
📍 VDA Per Day:
| Category | Above Ground | Below Ground |
| Unskilled | ₹ 191 | ₹ 237 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹ 237 | ₹ 282 |
| Skilled | ₹ 282 | ₹ 328 |
| Highly Skilled | ₹ 328 | ₹ 366 |
💰 Total Minimum Wages (Incl. VDA):
| Category | Above Ground | Below Ground |
| Unskilled | ₹ 541 | ₹ 674 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹ 674 | ₹ 805 |
| Skilled | ₹ 805 | ₹ 938 |
| Highly Skilled | ₹ 938 | ₹ 1049 |
🏗️ 3. Construction and Underground Utility Workers
Applies to workers in construction of roads, buildings, electric, water supply lines, underground cabling, etc.
📍 VDA Per Day:
| Category | Area A | Area B | Area C |
| Unskilled | ₹ 282 | ₹ 237 | ₹ 191 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹ 314 | ₹ 266 | ₹ 222 |
| Skilled | ₹ 344 | ₹ 314 | ₹ 266 |
| Highly Skilled | ₹ 372 | ₹ 344 | ₹ 314 |
💰 Total Minimum Wages (Incl. VDA):
| Category | Area A | Area B | Area C |
| Unskilled | ₹ 805 | ₹ 674 | ₹ 541 |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹ 893 | ₹ 760 | ₹ 632 |
| Skilled/Clerical | ₹ 981 | ₹ 893 | ₹ 760 |
| Highly Skilled | ₹ 1065 | ₹ 981 | ₹ 893 |
🧹 4. Sweeping and Cleaning Workers (Non-manual scavenging)
📍 VDA Per Day:
| Area A | Area B | Area C |
| ₹ 282 | ₹ 237 | ₹ 191 |
💰 Total Minimum Wages:
| Area A | Area B | Area C |
| ₹ 805 | ₹ 674 | ₹ 541 |
👮♂️ 5. Watch & Ward Services (With and Without Arms)
📍 VDA (Without Arms):
| Area A | Area B | Area C |
| ₹ 344 | ₹ 314 | ₹ 266 |
📍 Total Wages (Without Arms):
| Area A | Area B | Area C |
| ₹ 981 | ₹ 893 | ₹ 760 |
📍 VDA (With Arms):
| Area A | Area B | Area C |
| ₹ 372 | ₹ 344 | ₹ 314 |
📍 Total Wages (With Arms):
| Area A | Area B | Area C |
| ₹ 1065 | ₹ 981 | ₹ 893 |
🪨 6. Stone Mines Workers
✅ Piece Rate Wages (Incl. VDA):
| Task | Basic Wages | VDA | Total |
| Soft Soil Excavation | ₹ 351 | ₹ 194 | ₹ 545 |
| Soil + Rock | ₹ 531 | ₹ 287 | ₹ 818 |
| Rock | ₹ 703 | ₹ 380 | ₹ 1083 |
| Rejected Stones | ₹ 283 | ₹ 155 | ₹ 438 |
✅ Stone Crushing Rates:
| Size | Basic | VDA | Total |
| 1.0–1.5 inch | ₹ 2171 | ₹ 1152 | ₹ 3323 |
| 1.5–3.0 inch | ₹ 1857 | ₹ 985 | ₹ 2842 |
| 3.0–5.0 inch | ₹ 1088 | ₹ 581 | ₹ 1669 |
| Above 5 inch | ₹ 893 | ₹ 479 | ₹ 1372 |
📌 About Area Classifications:
The classification of cities into Area A, B, and C is based on cost of living and urban infrastructure, as per the January 2017 notification (S.O. 186(E), S.O. 188(E), etc.).
🗣️ Why This Matters
This revision in VDA:
Reinforces commitment to fair and timely wage policy
Ensures wages keep pace with inflation.
Protects purchasing power of workers.