What a ward boy does, and how the wage is set
Ward boys support nursing staff by moving patients, making beds, shifting samples and keeping the ward orderly. It is a frontline hospital support role, physically demanding and generally classified as unskilled for minimum-wage purposes.
A ward boy typically does patient movement, bed making, sample transport and ward support, work generally classified as unskilled for minimum-wage purposes, so use the unskilled category in the table above for the base rate. A supervisor or a specialised ward boy may sit a grade higher and must be paid more. Ward boys are commonly deployed at hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.
Bihar revises the VDA twice a year, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the All-India Consumer Price Index. The basic rate changes only when a fresh notification is issued. For how Bihar structures and revises its rates in full, including every category and zone, see the Bihar minimum wages page.
What employers must do
- Pay every ward boy at least the notified minimum for their category and zone. Paying below it is an offence.
- Pay overtime at twice the ordinary rate for work beyond normal hours.
- Maintain a wage register, muster roll and wage slips, and pay within the wage period.
- Update payroll at each revision so no worker slips below the new minimum.
For staffing firms deploying ward boys across Bihar, keeping each worker on the right category and zone rate by hand is error-prone. ZeniaHR payroll checks every wage against the applicable state minimum automatically and handles the registers and PF/ESI returns. See also our statutory compliance software.
Related calculators
Work out the deductions on a Bihar wage with the in-hand salary calculator, the PF calculator and the ESI calculator.
Keep every worker on the right wage
ZeniaHR flags any worker paid below the applicable minimum and updates rates at each revision. Built for manpower and staffing firms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage for a ward boy in Bihar?
A ward boy is generally classified as unskilled, so the applicable minimum wage in Bihar is about ₹436 (per day). Confirm the exact rate for the zone and duties against the official notification.
Is a ward boy skilled or unskilled in Bihar?
For minimum-wage purposes a ward boy doing patient movement, bed making, sample transport and ward support is normally treated as unskilled. Classification can vary with the exact duties and the scheduled employment, so always confirm against the official Bihar notification.
How often does the Bihar minimum wage change?
Bihar revises the VDA twice a year, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the All-India Consumer Price Index. The basic rate changes only when a fresh notification is issued.