News & Insights

Regulatory Updates Ministry Of Finance Mandates Timely Payment of Wages and Salaries for Manpower Engaged Through Contractors The Ministry of Finance, vide Office Memorandum dated 8 May 2026, issued directions regarding timely payment of wages and salaries to manpower engaged directly or through contractors in Central Ministries, Departments, attached and subordinate offices, autonomous bodies, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The Office Memorandum has been issu

Notifications Revision of Variable Dearness Allowance for Centrally Scheduled Employments The Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi, issued a series of orders dated 30 March 2026 revising the rates of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for multiple centrally scheduled employments. The revised rates came into force with effect from 1 April 2026 and have been issued in accordance with Section 69(2) of the Code on Wages, 2019. The revision reflects an incre

NOTIFICATIONS New EPF, EPS & EDLI Schemes Approved to Align with Code on Social Security, 2020 The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) has approved the introduction of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026; Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026; and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme, 2026, as part of a broader effort to modernise India’s social security framework in line with the Code on Social Security, 2020. These new schemes are intended to replace t

NOTIFICATIONS Education Support for Wards of Unorganised Workers Strengthened in Alignment with Code on Social Security, 2020 The Ministry of Labour & Employment has announced a reform to strengthen educational support for children of unorganised workers, aligning welfare measures with the Code on Social Security, 2020. The change allows students receiving welfare-based scholarships under the Labour Welfare Scheme (Education Component) to also avail merit-based scholarships o

NOTIFICATIONS Redefinition of “Worker” Category Under Indian Labour Laws The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, through a notification dated 30 January 2026 , has significantly redefined the scope of who qualifies as a “worker” under Indian labour law frameworks. The notification clarifies that persons employed in a supervisory capacity and earning more than ₹18,000 per month will no longer fall within the statutory definition of a “worker”. This change

Notifications Industrial Relations Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2025 The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued the Industrial Relations Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2025, to address practical issues arising from the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. Although the Code came into force on 21 November 2025, the earlier notification did not expressly repeal the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 or ensure a smooth transition of adjudicatory me

Notifications Implementation of Four Labour Codes to Simplify and Streamline Labour Laws The Government of India has notified the enforcement of the four Labour Codes, the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, effective from 21 November 2025, consolidating 29 existing labour laws. This major reform modernizes labour governance, strengthens worker welfa

Regulatory Updates EPFO directions to display the extract of Form 5A On 7 October 2025, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) issued a circular under Para 78(3) of the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, directing all establishments covered under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, to prominently display an extract of Form 5A either at the entrance of the establishment or on its website or mobile application. Employers are r

Notifications Draft Rules prescribed under Sections 23 & 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020, related to motor transport workers The Ministry of Labour & Employment has released draft rules under Sections 23 and 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020 . These rules apply uniformly across India and lay down comprehensive standards for health, safety, and welfare of motor transport workers. S

1. Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (Amendment) Scheme, 2025 Notified by the Ministry...