Overtime and Break Laws in Delhi (2026)
Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954 (Amendment Act 3 of 2026 awaiting commencement) · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
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.
Breaks and lunch
At least 30 minutes for rest and meals after no more than 5 hours of continuous work (s.10). Spread-over max 10.5 hours (commercial establishments) or 12 hours (shops) (s.11).
Overtime in Delhi
- 2x pay for hours past 9 in a day.
- 2x pay for hours past 48 in a week.
- Overtime is allowed only for stock-taking, accounts or other prescribed purposes, with 3 days' notice to the Chief Inspector (s.8 provisos).
- The hourly rate for overtime is worked out on an 8-hour day (s.8).
- Weekly rest of 24 consecutive hours on the close day (ss.16, 17).
- A 2025 24x7 exemption notification sets 9 hours a day including meal and rest, 48 a week, no more than 5 hours at a stretch and overtime at 2x (secondary source).
- Pending: Amendment Act 3 of 2026 (assent 23 Feb 2026) will apply the Act only to 20+ employees and set a 10-hour day, 60 hours a week including overtime and 144 overtime hours a quarter once its commencement is notified.
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 9h 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) | 90 | 10 |
| 6 days of 9 hours, two weeks (108h) | 96 | 12 |
| 50 hours, then 30 hours (80h) | 75 | 5 |
Breaks and lunch in Delhi
- 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 |
- The Act does not say whether the interval is paid.
- Pending under the 2026 amendment: break after 6 hours (s.10) and a uniform 12-hour spread-over (s.11).
Pay by Delhi rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick Delhi: 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 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.
Can overtime be averaged over two weeks or a pay period in Delhi?
Not allowed
What breaks are required in Delhi?
At least 30 minutes for rest and meals after no more than 5 hours of continuous work (s.10). Spread-over max 10.5 hours (commercial establishments) or 12 hours (shops) (s.11).