Working Hours in Bihar 2026

Daily and weekly limits, spread-over, rest intervals, overtime pay, and women night-shift rules for offices, shops, and factories in Bihar.

Hrs / day (shops)

Hrs / week

Overtime rate

Weekly off day

Source: Bihar Shops & Establishments Act, 1953 and the Factories Act, 1948. Verify the latest Bihar Labour Department notification before payroll lock.

Key Takeaway Last reviewed: June 2026

What are the working hours in Bihar?

In Bihar, shops cap work at 9 hours/day and 48 hours/week under the Bihar Shops & Establishments Act, 1953; factories allow 9 hours/day under the Factories Act, 1948. Overtime is paid at twice the ordinary wage, capped at 50 hours / quarter.

Quick Reference

Working Hours Rules in Bihar

Shops & Establishments Act limits for offices, retail, and services.

Rule	Limit	Note
Daily working hours (max)	9 hours	Beyond this counts as overtime
Weekly working hours (max)	48 hours	Spread across 6 working days
Spread-over (max)	12 hours	Total span including breaks
Rest interval	30 minutes after 5 hours	No continuous work beyond 5 hours
Weekly off	1 day	Paid weekly holiday
Overtime cap	50 hours / quarter	Statutory ceiling on overtime
Overtime rate	2x ordinary wages	Double the ordinary wage rate
Night shift (women)	Allowed	With safety, transport, consent

Source: Bihar Shops & Establishments Act, 1953. Verified as on June 2026. Cross-check the current Bihar Labour Department notification before drafting HR policy.

Sector Comparison

Shops Act vs Factories Act in Bihar

Factories follow the central Factories Act, 1948. Offices and shops follow the state Shops Act.

Parameter	Shops & Establishments	Factories
Daily hours	9 hours (S&E)	9 hrs (Sec 54)
Weekly hours	48 hours	48 hrs (Sec 51)
Spread-over	12 hours	10.5 hrs (Sec 56)
Rest interval	30 min / 5 hrs	30 min / 5 hrs (Sec 55)
Overtime rate	2x wages	2x wages (Sec 59)
OT cap	50 hours / quarter	50 hrs / quarter (Sec 64)

OSH Code 2020 - Impact on Bihar

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 will replace the Factories Act and state Shops Acts once notified. It proposes a uniform daily limit, a 125-hour quarterly overtime cap, and double overtime pay. The Code is passed but its rules are not yet in force. Bihar continues under the Bihar Shops & Establishments Act, 1953 and the Factories Act, 1948 until notification.

factoHR India

Track Bihar Working Hours and Overtime

factoHR India applies Bihar daily and weekly caps, flags spread-over breaches, computes overtime at 2x, and keeps Form IX records audit-ready for inspections.

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FAQ

Bihar Working Hours FAQs

What are the maximum working hours per day in Bihar?

Shops and commercial establishments in Bihar cap daily work at 9 hours under the Bihar Shops & Establishments Act, 1953. Factories allow up to 9 hours per day under Section 54 of the Factories Act, 1948. Work beyond these limits qualifies as overtime.

What is the weekly working hour limit in Bihar?

The weekly cap is 48 hours for both shops and factories. Hours beyond 48 in a week are paid as overtime at twice the ordinary wage rate. Every worker also gets one paid weekly off.

How is overtime paid in Bihar?

Overtime is paid at 2x ordinary wages under the Bihar Shops & Establishments Act, 1953 and Section 59 of the Factories Act, 1948. The overtime ceiling is 50 hours / quarter. The Code on Wages, 2019 standardises this double rate for all wage earners.

Can women work night shifts in Bihar?

Yes. Bihar permits women in night shifts with safeguards. Employers must provide written consent, safe transport, adequate lighting, security, and an Internal Complaints Committee under the POSH Act, 2013.

How does factoHR India track working hours in Bihar?

factoHR India captures biometric, GPS, and selfie attendance, applies the Bihar daily and weekly caps, flags spread-over breaches, and computes overtime at 2x. It keeps Form IX and audit-ready records for labour inspections.

If you employ staff in Bihar, the same workforce is also covered by minimum wage rates in Bihar, Professional Tax in Bihar, and the public holiday calendar for Bihar. Keep every Bihar statutory obligation aligned across your payroll.