Overtime Rules in India
In India, overtime starts after 9 hours in a day and after 48 hours in a week and is paid at 2× the regular rate.
- Daily overtime after
- 9 hours
- Weekly overtime after
- 48 hours
- Overtime rate
- 2×
- Maximum weekly hours
- 60 hours
- Rest break
- 30 minutes · 5 hours
- Source
- labour.gov.in
When overtime starts in India
The daily threshold is 9 hours and the weekly threshold is 48 hours. Hours worked beyond either point count as overtime and are paid at 2× the regular rate.
Where a figure is not shown, India does not set that threshold nationally, or it is left to a collective agreement. Check the source before applying it to a specific contract.
Maximum weekly hours
The maximum working week in India is 60 hours, including overtime. Averaging arrangements over a reference period are common and may change how the limit applies to any single week.
Rest breaks
A rest break of at least 30 minutes applies once a shift exceeds 5 hours. Unpaid breaks are excluded from paid hours, which is how the hours calculator treats the break field by default.
Calculate overtime pay for India
Select India in the hours calculator or the timesheet and these thresholds and the 2× multiplier are applied to your week automatically. Overtime hours are shown on their own line rather than folded into the total, so the figure can be checked against the statute.
As of September 21, 2026
This page summarises the statutory baseline in India for general information. It is not legal advice, collective agreements and sector rules can set different terms, and labour law changes. Check labour.gov.in before relying on any figure.
Questions and answers
When does overtime start in India?
After 9 hours in a day or 48 hours in a week, whichever is reached first. Hours beyond that point are overtime.
How much is overtime pay in India?
Overtime is paid at 2× the regular hourly rate under the rule cited on this page. Collective agreements may set a higher rate.
What is the maximum number of hours per week in India?
60 hours including overtime, subject to any averaging or sector exceptions that apply in India.
Are rest breaks required in India?
A break of at least 30 minutes is required once a shift passes 5 hours. Whether it is paid depends on the contract.
Where do these figures come from?
From labour.gov.in, the statutory instrument for working time in India. Where a figure is uncertain it is left blank rather than estimated.