The Central Government has officially notified the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026 on 08th May 2026 vide Gazette Notification No. CG-DL-E-08052026-272365. The new rules consolidate major wage-related legislations including Minimum Wages, Payment of Wages, Bonus, and Equal Remuneration Rules into a unified framework aimed at simplifying wage compliance across India. Key reforms include standardized 8-hour workdays and 48-hour workweeks, twice-yearly Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) revisions linked to the Consumer Price Index, introduction of hourly and daily wage calculations, paid weekly rest days with double wage provisions for work on rest days, and a digital compliance framework for employers. The rules also establish clear procedures for wage deductions, fines, employee clarifications, and online submission of wage-related claims, while introducing standardized electronic registers and wage slip formats for enhanced transparency and compliance.