Andhra Pradesh explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The Code on Social Security (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026 supersede four sets of earlier State rules and give an employer in the State a single online registration path, with a deemed-registration period, an expiry rule and a cancellation procedure. They also set up the working of the State's Unorganised Workers Social Security Board and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
For a registration or clean-up exercise across several Labour Codes, you can start with our labour law compliance service.
The rules are the Code on Social Security (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.126 dated 7 July 2026. An employer registers an establishment electronically on the State Labour Department portal, in the common Form-I of the OSH (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026; the certificate issues not later than seven days from a complete application, failing which the establishment is deemed registered (rule 3(1)(e)). A registration expires after twenty-four months if no compliance is reported on it (rule 3(4)).
Notification and commencement
The rules are the Code on Social Security (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.126 dated 7 July 2026, issued by the Labour, Factories, Boilers and Insurance Medical Services (Lab.II) Department. The order says the notification will be published in the Extraordinary issue of the Andhra Pradesh Gazette dated 07.07.2026. Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette.
Rule 1(2) reads: "They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette." The four Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. The draft was published in the Gazette on 17 March 2026 with forty-five days for objections, and the order states that objections and suggestions were duly considered. The rules are made under sections 154 and 156 of the Code. The Central rule on rule-making is explained in sections 154 and 155 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
What the rules supersede
The preamble supersedes, "except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession", the previous State rules made under four enactments: the Employees Compensation Act, 1923, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and the Unorganised Social Security Act, 2008. Acts done under those earlier rules before the new rules began are left undisturbed.
Who the rules apply to
The rules apply to the establishments for which the State Government is the appropriate Government; their definitions refer to the State of Andhra Pradesh and to its Government. Several definitions matter to employers: "electronically" covers email, uploading on the designated portal or digital payment in any mode; "year" means the financial year from 1 April to 31 March; "competent authority" is an authority appointed under section 91 of the Code for Chapter VII; and "Inspector-cum-Facilitator" is a person appointed by notification under section 122.
Registration of establishments (rule 3)
The Central position is in rule 5 of the Social Security Central Rules, 2026 and rules 1 and 2. In Andhra Pradesh:
- Application (rule 3(1)(a) to (d)). Every employer seeking registration of an establishment not already registered applies electronically in Form-I of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, on the designated portal of the State Labour Department, with details of the establishment and uploaded documents including proof of identity and address of the employer. That OSH Form-I is "the common form for registration under these rules". The form is signed digitally or in any other manner the portal requires, and the applicant is responsible for the veracity of the information. The establishment's Permanent Account Number or any other unique number may be verified online. The OSH registration is covered in our OSH article on registration.
- Certificate (rule 3(1)(e)). The certificate is issued electronically immediately if the application is complete, and "not later than seven days from the date of submission of complete application", failing which the establishment is deemed registered and the certificate is auto-generated. The State Government may by notification dispense with electronic registration for an establishment or class of establishment for a specified period.
- Non-compliance (rule 3(2)). The Authorised Officer directs an employer who fails to comply to do so within the time stated, and the employer complies.
- Establishments already registered (rule 3(3)). An employer already registered under any other State Labour Acts or State Rules under Central Labour Acts updates particulars on the portal "within such period as the State Government may specify by notification". No period is named in the rules.
- Expiry (rule 3(4)). A registration made or deemed made expires after twenty-four months from the date of registration if no compliance is reported using that registration number on the portal. The employer can apply on the portal to revoke the expiry.
- Cancellation for wrong information (rule 3(5)). A registration obtained by wrong information may be cancelled after a show-cause opportunity within thirty days from service of the notice.
- Quoting and updating (rule 3(6) and (7)). The registration number is quoted on all documents and correspondence connected with the Code, schemes, rules or regulations. A change in the particulars is updated within thirty days.
- Cancellation on closure (rule 3(8) and (9)). An employer in the process of closure applies online for cancellation, with details and the status of contribution and dues. No application is entertained unless all returns are furnished, all dues under the Code are paid and a self-certification is submitted. The application is decided within ninety days of receipt of the complete application.
- Display (rule 3(10)). A copy of the certificate is displayed at conspicuous places in the premises where work is carried out.
The Unorganised Workers Social Security Board (rules 4 to 8) and the Welfare Board (rules 9 to 12)
These rules concern the State, not the employer, but employers in the construction and unorganised sectors will meet them. Highlights as printed:
| Subject | Rule | As printed |
|---|---|---|
| Term of a member | 4(1) | Not exceeding three years from nomination; not more than a total of two terms |
| Nominees | 4(1)(c), (d), (f) | Seven persons each from unorganised workers and from their employers; five persons of eminence; ten members from concerned departments |
| Resignation | 5 | Letter to the State Government; seat vacant on acceptance or after thirty days, whichever is earlier |
| Building workers' schemes | 9 | Group Insurance premium, educational schemes for beneficiaries' children, and medical expenses for major ailments |
| Meetings | 11(1)(b) | At least thrice in a year |
| Quorum | 11(4) | Ten members for the Unorganised Workers Board; four for the Building Workers Welfare Board |
| Notice of ordinary meeting | 11(2)(a) | Not less than fifteen days |
Rule 4(1)(c) fixes seven nominees under each of the two sub-clauses, with one member each from the Scheduled Caste, the Scheduled Tribe, the minorities and women among the seven worker nominees. Our Central link on registration of unorganised workers is rule 48 of the Central Rules.
A worked example
Anantapur Solar Fabricators, an invented unit, has never registered under the Code. Its owner files the OSH Form-I application on the State portal with identity and address proofs. The certificate arrives on day five. A year later, the unit's register shows it has reported no compliance using that number for twenty-four months, so the registration expires; the owner applies on the portal to revoke the expiry and then quotes the number on every filing. When the unit shuts down, it applies for cancellation only after filing all returns and paying all dues with a self-certification.
Common lapses
- Treating registration under an older State Act as enough, without updating particulars when the State specifies a period.
- Letting a registration lapse by not reporting compliance for twenty-four months.
- Not quoting the registration number on Code documents.
- Applying for cancellation before clearing returns and dues.
- Failing to update changed particulars within thirty days.
Need help with registration?
A single registration serves both the OSH and social security rules in Andhra Pradesh, which makes the first filing worth getting right. Our labour law compliance team can help you prepare it and keep the record updated.
Key takeaways
- Form-I of the OSH (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026 is the common registration form.
- Certificate within seven days of a complete application, or deemed registration.
- Registration expires after twenty-four months without reported compliance; revocation on application.
- Changes to be updated within thirty days; cancellation decided within ninety days, after returns and dues are cleared.
Read next
- Code on Social Security (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: Employees' State Insurance and employee's compensation
- Code on Social Security (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: authorities, compounding, cess and vacancy reporting
- OSH (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: notification, definitions and registration of establishments
- Rule 5 of the Social Security Central Rules, 2026: registration of establishments
Disclaimer: Based on the State or Union territory rules named above, as notified under the Labour Codes and consulted on 4 October 2026. Later amendments, State notifications, fees and forms should be checked in the State Gazette and on the State labour department website. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.