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Labour Welfare and Minimum Wage Policy

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Essential for understanding social justice, economic equity, industrial relations, and the role of the state in protecting vulnerable sections of the workforce. Directly relevant to GS2 (Social Justice, Governance) and GS3 (Indian Economy).

Labour welfare encompasses various measures undertaken by employers, government, and trade unions to improve the working and living conditions of workers. Minimum wage policy is a crucial component, setting the lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their workers, aimed at ensuring a basic standard of living and preventing exploitation.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Minimum Wages Act, 1948

Provides for the fixation and revision of minimum wages in certain scheduled employments.

Concurrent List Subject

Labour is a subject on the Concurrent List, allowing both Central and State governments to legislate on it.

Components of Labour Welfare

Includes fair wages, reasonable working hours, safe working conditions, social security, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

Revision Mechanism

Minimum wages are periodically revised by state governments, often based on recommendations from tripartite committees.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaLabor Laws
Conceptual areaWelfare Schemes & Social Policies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Labour Department (State/Central)Implements
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
  • Labour is a Concurrent List subject.
  • Role of State Labour Departments in implementation.
  • Key components: wages, hours, safety, social security.
  • Impact on worker dignity and economic equity.

High-confidence PYQs

2022Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

EconomyOpen question
2021Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

EconomyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Modern HistoryOpen question
2018Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Modern HistoryOpen question
2018Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Modern HistoryOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Topic timeline

Labor LawsWelfare Schemes & Social Policies
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Open question

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Open question

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Open question

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

Open question

Surviving a city on ₹13,690

24 May 2026 · Focuses on the government's role in setting minimum wages, ensuring fair working conditions, and providing welfare measures for workers to prevent exploitation and ensure a decent standard of living.

Read article

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