Overview
The Central Government has completed the operationalisation of the four labour codes by publishing the requisite rules in the official gazette. This marks the culmination of a five‑year process that began with the enactment of the codes on 21 November 2025. With the rules now in force, the legal framework for minimum wage, universal social security and occupational safety becomes fully functional across India.
Key Developments
- Rules for the four codes were drafted on 30 December 2025, opened for stakeholder feedback, and subsequently notified after legal vetting.
- The codes consolidate 29 earlier labour statutes into a single, modern framework.
- Implementation now requires both the Centre and the States to notify the rules, as labour is a concurrent subject.
- Key provisions include mandatory appointment letters, free health check‑ups for workers aged 40+, equal pay for women across shifts, a cap of 48 weekly working hours, and at least one weekend off.
- The establishment of a National Reskilling Fund to support reskilling of displaced workers.
Important Facts
The four codes are:
- Code on Wages, 2019
- Industrial Relations Code, 2020
- Code on Social Security, 2020
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
Collectively, these codes aim to simplify compliance, boost ease of doing business, and create a pro‑worker ecosystem.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the labour codes is essential for GS 2 (Polity) because they illustrate the interplay between Centre‑State powers in a