The Government of Kerala, via the Department of Economics and Statistics, has officially published its latest statutory compliance notifications under Notification No. DES/1129/2025-P3(1).
This essential state mandate revises the Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers for both agricultural and industrial workers, directly adjusting the dynamic Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) payout metrics. This system recalculation went into effect for the April 2026 salary cycle, carrying strict financial and regulatory penalties for corporations that fail to execute immediate updates across active payroll platforms. Under current regional labor codes, calculating incorrect VDA structures creates non-compliance liability, paving the way for worker litigation, back-pay reconciliation bills, and state audit failures.
The amended rates for all the categories are as below:-
| KERALA Shops and Commercial Establishments | ||||
| Minimum Wages Rates for Cochin w.e.f 1st Dec ‘2016 | ||||
| S.NO | CLASS OF EMPLOYMENT | Monthly | ||
| BASIC | DA (w.e.f April’2026) | TOTAL | ||
| Special Grade | ||||
| 1 | Manager | 9330 | 4888 | 14218 |
| Grade ‘A’ | ||||
| 1 | Head Clerk | 9120 | 4888 | 14008 |
| 2 | Sales Supervisor/Supervisor | |||
| 3 | Stenographer | |||
| 4 | Electrician | |||
| Grade ‘B’ | ||||
| 1 | Accountant | 8910 | 4888 | 13798 |
| 2 | Clerk | |||
| 3 | Typist | |||
| 4 | Cashier | |||
| 5 | Booking Clerk | |||
| 6 | Bill Collector | |||
| 7 | Salesman/Sales women | |||
| Grade C | ||||
| 1 | Shop Assistant | 8700 | 4888 | 13588 |
| Grade D | ||||
| 1 | Attender | 8490 | 4888 | 13378 |
| 2 | Peon | |||
| 3 | Watchman | |||
| Grade E | ||||
| 1 | Office Assistant/Sales Assistant(Commercial Establishment) | 8280 | 4888 | 13168 |
| 2 | Sweeper | |||
Revised Kerala (CPI Index) minimum wages notification attached for your reference.
Thank you for reading. We hope the information was helpful to you!
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