What changed, in one paragraph
The four codes consolidate 29 separate central Acts into a single framework covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety and health. The codes were passed in 2019 and 2020 but stayed dormant for years while rules were drafted. They were brought into force on 21 November 2025, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Central Rules under all four codes on 8 May 2026. States must notify their own rules to complete the picture, so the exact position still varies by state.
The timeline that matters
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 2025 | All four labour codes brought into force, consolidating 29 central Acts | PIB / Ministry of Labour |
| 30 Dec 2025 | Draft Central Rules issued for public consultation (objections invited within 30 days for IR, 45 days for the others) | Ministry of Labour |
| 8 May 2026 | Central Rules notified under all four codes (Code on Wages, IR, Social Security, OSH) | e-Gazette / Ministry of Labour |
State rules are notified state by state and are not all final; check your state’s status before relying on a Central Rule alone.
The four codes
| Code | Consolidates | Read the explainer |
|---|---|---|
| Code on Wages, 2019 | 4 Acts (Payment of Wages, Minimum Wages, Payment of Bonus, Equal Remuneration) | Code on Wages |
| Industrial Relations Code, 2020 | 3 Acts (Trade Unions, Standing Orders, Industrial Disputes) | IR Code |
| Code on Social Security, 2020 | 9 Acts (EPF, ESI, Gratuity, Maternity Benefit, and more) | Social Security Code |
| OSH Code, 2020 | 13 Acts (Factories, Contract Labour, Mines, BOCW, Inter-State Migrant Workmen, and more) | OSH Code |
Who the codes apply to
The codes apply across the country, but individual provisions switch on at different establishment sizes. Minimum wages and timely payment under the Code on Wages are near-universal; industrial-relations thresholds, standing orders and many welfare duties depend on worker headcount. Because ZeniaHR serves manpower and staffing firms, the most consequential change for that sector is that the Contract Labour Act is now folded into the OSH Code, so contract-labour licensing and registers now sit within that code.
Penalties
The codes carry graded penalties, with higher maximums than the Acts they replace and, in several cases, an opportunity to comply before prosecution for a first offence. Exact amounts are set out in each code and its Central Rules; confirm the figure for a specific default against the gazette before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
When did the labour codes come into force?
The four labour codes came into force on 21 November 2025. The Central Rules under all four codes were notified on 8 May 2026. Some state rules are still being notified.
How many laws do the four codes replace?
They consolidate 29 central labour laws into four codes: the Code on Wages 2019, the Industrial Relations Code 2020, the Code on Social Security 2020 and the OSH Code 2020.
Do the codes apply to contract labour and manpower firms?
Yes. Contract-labour regulation now sits inside the OSH Code, which folds in the former Contract Labour Act, so licensing, registers and principal-employer duties are governed there. See our contract labour pages for how this works in practice.
Are the codes fully implemented everywhere?
The codes and the Central Rules are in force, but each state notifies its own rules and some are still pending, so the exact requirement can vary by state. Confirm your state's position before acting.
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