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.
Chapter V of the Andhra Pradesh wage rules tells an employer what to do when an employee dies or cannot be traced with wages unpaid, and rules 40 and 41 set the forms and hearing steps for wage claims and appeals. Chapter IV describes the State Advisory Board.
Disputes over wages in the State can end up before the authorities named in these rules; our legal dispute resolution team helps employers prepare for them.
The rules are the Code on Wages (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.124 dated 29 June 2026. An employee nominates a person to receive dues on death in Form-VII (rule 36). Dues not paid to a nominee for three months go to the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, and unclaimed dues without a nomination are deposited after six months, within the fifteenth day after that period (rules 36 and 37). Claims are filed in Form-II and appeals in Form III; an employer's appeal is admitted only after depositing the claim amount (rule 41).
Notification and commencement
The rules are the Code on Wages (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.124 dated 29 June 2026. Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette. Rule 1(3): "They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette." The Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. For deductions and fines, see our article on payment of wages.
Nomination for undisbursed dues (rule 36)
The Central rule is rule 45 of the Central Rules. Under the Andhra Pradesh rule:
- Every employee makes a declaration in Form-VII, in physical form or electronically, nominating a person to receive the amount to his credit on his death, before the amount becomes payable or, if payable, before payment is made.
- An employee with a family nominates the spouse or the spouse in preference, followed by one or more family members. A nomination of a non-family member by an employee with a family is invalid. A fresh nomination for the spouse must be made on marriage, and any nomination made before marriage is deemed invalid.
- Where the nominee is a minor, the employee may appoint a major person of the family as guardian or, where there is none, any other person.
- If more than one nominee is named, the nomination specifies the amount or share of each, covering the whole amount.
Where an amount due under the Code after death, or because the whereabouts of the employee are not known, could not be paid to the nominee "until the expiry of three months from the date the amount had become payable", the employer deposits it with the Deputy Commissioner of Labour having jurisdiction, who disburses it to the nominee after ascertaining identity "within two months of the date on which the amount was so deposited" (rule 36(2)).
Deposit where no nomination was made (rules 37 and 38)
- When (rule 37(1)). Amounts under section 44(1)(b) that remain undisbursed because there is no nomination or for another reason are deposited "after the expiry of six-months from the date the amount become payable", with the Deputy Commissioner of Labour having jurisdiction "before the expiry of the fifteenth day after the last day of the said period of six months".
- How (rule 37(2)). By bank transfer or by a crossed demand draft from any scheduled bank in India, drawn in favour of the Deputy Commissioner of Labour.
- What happens next (rule 38). The amount stays with the Deputy Commissioner, invested in Central or State Government securities or a fixed deposit in a scheduled bank. A notice is exhibited for at least fifteen days and published in two local vernacular newspapers in the area where the wages were earned and two in the area of the employee's permanent residence. The amount is released after a hearing to the person in whose favour the decision is made. If unclaimed for seven years, it is dealt with as the State Government directs from time to time.
Claims before the authority (rule 40)
The Central position is in rules 48 and 49 of the Central Rules. Under the State text:
- A single application for any number or group of employees of the same establishment, where claims relate to the same wage period or an incident of discrimination, is filed under section 45(5) in Form-II, manually or electronically, with the documents specified in the Form, before the authority notified by the State Government.
- The authority serves the employer a notice in Form VIII (A), electronically or by speed post, to appear on the date specified with documents and witnesses.
- If the employer or representative does not appear, the authority may hear and determine the application ex parte. If the applicant does not appear without reasonable cause shown in advance, the authority may dismiss it.
Who the notified officers are is a matter of a separate appointment order; our article on G.O.Ms.No.7 of 2026 tabulates them.
Appeals (rule 41)
A person aggrieved by an order under section 45(2) may appeal under section 49(1) in Form III, electronically or by speed post, with documents mentioned in the Form, to the appellate authority having jurisdiction. The proviso is for employers: "no appeal by an employer shall be admitted unless at the time of preferring the appeal, the appellant has deposited the claim amount with the appellate authority". The appellate authority serves a notice in Form VIII-(B). If the employer or representative fails to appear, the authority may hear and determine ex parte; if the applicant fails to appear, it may dismiss the appeal. See rule 50 of the Central Rules.
The State Advisory Board in brief (rules 20 to 35)
The Board is constituted under section 42(4) of the Code by the State Government from persons nominated by it. Employers rarely deal with it directly, but its working rules are short:
| Subject | Rule | As printed |
|---|---|---|
| Meetings on requisition | 21 | Chairperson calls a meeting within thirty days of a written requisition by not less than one half of members |
| Notice | 22 | At least fifteen days; seven days for an emergent meeting |
| Quorum | 24 | One-third of members, with at least one representative each of employers and employees |
| Term of office | 29 | Three years from appointment or nomination; members hold office during the pleasure of the State Government |
| Re-nomination | 32 | Not more than a total of two terms |
| Cessation | 34 | Absence from three consecutive meetings without prior intimation |
A worked example
Tungabhadra Textiles, an invented company in Kurnool, loses a machine attendant, who had made no nomination. His final wages stay unpaid. The company waits for six months from the date they became payable, then transfers the amount by bank transfer to the Deputy Commissioner of Labour before the fifteenth day after that period ends. Later, when the attendant's widow claims in Form-II for earlier-month shortfalls, the company attends on the date in the Form VIII (A) notice with its records. It prepares to deposit the claim amount if it decides to appeal.
Common lapses
- Not collecting Form-VII nominations at joining.
- Paying a non-family nominee where the employee had a family.
- Missing the fifteen-day window after six months for the deposit.
- Preferring an appeal without depositing the claim amount.
- Skipping a hearing date, which risks an ex parte decision.
Need help with a wage claim or an appeal?
If a claim notice has reached you, or if you want to build the nomination and deposit steps into your exit process, a short consultation can map the next steps. Speak to our legal dispute resolution team.
Key takeaways
- Form-VII nomination; family first; fresh nomination on marriage.
- Three months to a nominee, then deposit with the Deputy Commissioner of Labour; six months where there is no nomination.
- Form-II claim, Form VIII (A) notice, ex parte risk for non-appearance.
- Form III appeal; employer must deposit the claim amount first.
- The State Advisory Board follows the working rules in rules 20 to 35.
Read next
- Code on Wages (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: payment of wages, deductions, fines and advances
- Code on Wages (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: registers, wage slip, forms and compounding
- Andhra Pradesh G.O.Ms.No.7 of 2026: officers appointed as authorities under the four Labour Codes
- Rule 45 of the Code on Wages Central Rules, 2026: nomination and undisbursed dues on death
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.