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ARTICLE · 26 AUGUST 2026

India's Labour Codes Enter The Compliance Phase: Key Implications Of The Central Rules, 2026

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India's labour law reforms entered a significant phase with the enforcement of the Code on Wages, 2019, the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (collectively, the “Labour Codes”) from November 21, 2025. Although the Labour Codes came into force in November 2025, their implementation remained incomplete in the absence of the corresponding subordinate legislation.

IndiaEmployment and HR
Vikas Khurana
Vikas Khurana
Nishant Chamoli
Nishant Chamoli
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Introduction

India's labour law reforms entered a significant phase with the enforcement of the Code on Wages, 2019, the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (collectively, the “Labour Codes”) from November 21, 2025. Although the Labour Codes came into force in November 2025, their implementation remained incomplete in the absence of the corresponding subordinate legislation. This changed when the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Central Rules (“Rules”) under all four Labour Codes through notifications issued in the Official Gazette on May 8, 2026. The notification of these Rules marks the transition from legislative reform to operational compliance.

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