The Government of India implemented, with effect from 21st November 2025, the four Labour Codes, namely the Code on Wages, 2019, Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Social Security, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Although the Labour Codes have been brought into force, their full implementation requires the publication of the corresponding Rules by the appropriate Governments, both the Central as well as the various States (including Union Territories).
The Draft Central Rules under all four Labour Codes were previously published in December 2025, following which the Central Rules were finalised and have been brought into force with effect from 8th May 2026. The four central rules are:
- Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026
- Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026
- Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026
The coming into force of the Central Rules marks a significant step towards the implementation of the Labour Codes, as it shifts the focus of employers from policy formulation in the light of the Labour Codes to ensuring operational readiness for compliance with their provisions. The Central Rules will largely apply only to establishments where the Appropriate Government is the Central Government. Broadly, the Central Government is the Appropriate Government in respect of the following types of industries / establishments:
- Railways
- Mines
- Oilfields
- Air transport services
- Telecommunications
- Banking companies
- Insurance companies, etc.
In respect of establishments for which the appropriate Government is the State Government, the provisions of the Codes along with the respective State rules would be applicable. Governments of Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh have already brought into force their set of rules. Therefore, for the establishments operating in these two states, for which the appropriate Government is the state, the provisions of the codes along with the respective State’s rules would be applicable. In-as-much-as the Central Government, Government of Gujarat and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh have brought into force their set of rules under the labour codes, it is imperative for the establishments to begin executing processes according to the newly gazetted rules.
Though most of the other states are also ready with the draft rules, they are yet to complete the process of publishing it, finalise and operationalise. Till such time, the establishments in such states shall continue to be governed by the existing State Rules and transitional provisions.
Current Legal Status Matrix
| Regulatory Component | Status as of May 2026 | Impact on Establishments |
| The 4 Labour Codes ( Wages, OSHWC, Social Security and IR ) | Enforced (w.e.f. Nov 21, 2025) | Statutorily replaces 29 legacy Central Labour laws. |
| Central Subordinate Rules | Enforced (Gazetted May 2026) | Immediately active. Procedural compliance, forms, and filings must align with these rules. |
| Gujarat Rules | Enforced ( from 21/11/2025 ) | Procedural compliance, forms, and filings must align with these rules. |
| Arunachal Pradesh Rules | Enforced ( from 21/11/2025 ) | Procedural compliance, forms, and filings must align with these rules. |
| Other States’ Rules | Awaited | |
| PF, Pension and EDLI Schemes | Awaited | The schemes framed under 1952 Act will continue to run in parallel. |
| ESI Regulations | Awaited | Regulations under ESI Act, 1948 are to be followed till such time the new regulations are announced. |
Irrespective of whether the States have published the rules or not, compliance needs to be taken with full force, in order to ensure that at any given instance, the Companies or Establishments are in full compliance of the law. The subordinate legislations will mainly prescribe the process / procedure, along with the formats, but the governing law, is already in effect through the Codes. In the meantime, it is suggested that Employers should proactively monitor developments in Labour Law Regime, and align their internal policies, processes and documentation to ensure complete compliance, as and when the respective Rules are brought into force.
