The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), on May 8, 2026, notified the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 under Section 99 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The rules have been issued after considering stakeholder objections and suggestions received on the draft rules published in December 2025 and will come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
With this notification, the Central Government has superseded the Industrial Disputes (Central) Rules, 1957 insofar as they relate to Part II and Parts V to VIII, as well as the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946, to the extent covered under the new framework. The rules lay down procedural and operational provisions relating to industrial dispute resolution, conciliation proceedings, settlements, trade unions, standing orders, grievance redressal mechanisms, and constitution of bipartite forums such as Works Committees.
The notification marks a significant step toward operationalising the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and consolidating India’s labour law framework through digitisation, streamlined compliance procedures, and modernised industrial relations mechanisms. The rules also recognise electronic filings and communications, introduce updated procedures for settlements and dispute handling, and provide clarity on employer responsibilities across various industrial establishments including railways and Union Territories.
[Notification No. G.S.R. 342(E)]
