Overtime and Break Laws in India (2026)
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (ss.25 to 27) and OSH (Central) Rules, 2026; Code on Wages, 2019. Shops, offices and restaurants are also governed by each state's Shops and Establishments Act. · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
2x the ordinary wage for work over 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, counted daily or weekly, whichever is better for the worker. Max 144 overtime hours a quarter under the central rules.
Breaks and lunch
No more than 5 hours of continuous work, then an interval of at least 30 minutes (S.O. 2517(E), May 2026).
The rules differ by state
In India, most employers follow the rules of the state where the work is done. The figures above are the national rules; pick yours below.
Delhi
2x normal pay for work over 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.8). Max 54 hours a week including overtime and 150 overtime hours a year.
Gujarat
2x the ordinary rate beyond 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.15). Max 144 overtime hours in 3 months.
Haryana
2x the normal hourly wage beyond 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.7). Max 156 overtime hours a quarter.
Karnataka
2x normal wages for work over 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week (ss.7, 8). Max 10 hours a day including overtime and 50 overtime hours in 3 months.
Kerala
2x the ordinary rate for work over 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week (ss.6, 7). Max 10 hours a day including overtime and 50 overtime hours a quarter.
Maharashtra
2x ordinary wages beyond 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.15). Max 144 overtime hours in 3 months.
Punjab
2x the normal hourly wage beyond 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.7). Max 144 overtime hours a quarter.
Rajasthan
1.5x the ordinary rate for work over 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.8, unamended). Normal day is now 10 hours; max 144 overtime hours a quarter.
Tamil Nadu
2x the ordinary rate for work over 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week (ss.9, 14, 31). Max 10.5 hours a day and 57 hours a week including overtime.
Telangana
2x the ordinary rate for work over 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week (ss.9, 16, 37). Overtime limited to 6 hours a week.
Uttar Pradesh
2x the ordinary rate for work over 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week (s.6). Max 11 hours a day including overtime and 144 overtime hours a quarter.
West Bengal
2x the ordinary rate for work over 8.5 hours a day or 48 hours a week (ss.6, 7, 13). Max 10 hours a day including overtime and 120 overtime hours a year.
Overtime in India
- 2x pay for hours past 8 in a day.
- 2x pay for hours past 48 in a week.
- The four Labour Codes took effect on 21 Nov 2025 and replaced the Factories Act, 1948. Central rules under all four Codes were notified on 8 May 2026 (OSH Rules: G.S.R. 345(E)).
- OSH Code s.25: no worker may work more than 8 hours a day. Rule 64: no more than 48 hours a week. s.26: no more than 6 days a week, so a weekly holiday is required.
- Rule 69: overtime paid at the end of each wage period. 15 to 30 minutes counts as 30 minutes, more than 30 minutes as a full hour. Daily wage for monthly-paid staff is 1/26 of the monthly wage.
- Overtime needs the worker's consent (s.27 proviso). Cap of 144 overtime hours in any quarter (Rule 69).
- The Code applies to establishments with 10 or more workers. Factories and most private establishments fall under the state government, so state OSH rules (being notified state by state through 2026) set the detailed limits; the central rules apply to the central sphere.
- Shops, offices, restaurants and other commercial establishments must also follow their state Shops and Establishments Act, which sets its own daily limits, overtime caps and breaks (see state entries).
Averaging over a pay period: Not allowed
What two weeks of work come to
Worked out by the rule above (2x after 48h in a week, 2x after 8h in a day). Hours.
| Two weeks of | Regular | Overtime (2x) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days of 8 hours, two weeks (80h) | 80 | 0 |
| 5 days of 10 hours, two weeks (100h) | 80 | 20 |
| 6 days of 9 hours, two weeks (108h) | 96 | 12 |
| 50 hours, then 30 hours (80h) | 70 | 10 |
Breaks and lunch in India
- Meal break: 1 × 30 minutes, unpaid, for shifts of 5 hours or more.
| Shift | Rest breaks | Meal break |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | None | None |
| 6 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 8 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 10 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 12 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
- Notified by the Central Government under OSH Code s.25(1)(b), effective from publication on 14 May 2026. The notification does not say whether the interval is paid.
- Because no stretch may exceed 5 hours, a day over 10 worked hours needs a second interval.
- Spread-over is left to notification by the appropriate government under s.25(1)(b); no central figure was found for general establishments.
- Weekly holiday: no more than 6 days of work in a week (s.26), with compensatory holidays within 2 months if one is lost to an exemption.
Pay by India rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick India: the overtime and break rules above fill in, and every timesheet, report and payroll export follows them. Change any number to match your own contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rule in India?
2x the ordinary wage for work over 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, counted daily or weekly, whichever is better for the worker. Max 144 overtime hours a quarter under the central rules.
Can overtime be averaged over two weeks or a pay period in India?
Not allowed
What breaks are required in India?
No more than 5 hours of continuous work, then an interval of at least 30 minutes (S.O. 2517(E), May 2026).