Forms I 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.
Form I records a settlement between employer and workers. Form II is the application that takes an industrial dispute to the Central Government Industrial Tribunal. Both sit in the Schedule to the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 342(E), 8 May 2026). This article explains what each form is for, who uses it, when, and what it contains as printed.
Form I (see rule 4) is the memorandum of settlement arrived at in conciliation or otherwise. It carries the parties, a short recital, the terms, the signatures, two witnesses and the conciliation officer's signature. Form II (see rule 9(8) and rule 23(9)) is the application to the Tribunal, made before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal of the place with jurisdiction, stating brief facts connected with the dispute under section 22(1) or section 53(6) of the Code, with a prayer for admission and an award. The Rules do not set a filing time limit in the form itself.
Why these forms exist
The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 defines a settlement in section 2 and makes it binding under sections 56 and 57. Section 22 deals with adjudication of disputes of trade unions, and section 53(6) sits in the Code's conciliation and adjudication provisions. The Central Rules supply the prescribed forms. They apply to Central-sphere establishments; where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's rules apply. See our explainers on section 2, section 22-23 and sections 53-54.
If you are negotiating a settlement or preparing a Tribunal application, our legal dispute resolution team can help you with the drafting and filing.
The two forms at a glance
| Form I | Form II | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Memorandum of settlement arrived at in the course of conciliation proceedings or otherwise | Application to Tribunal |
| Linked rule | Rule 4 | Rule 9(8) and rule 23(9) |
| Who signs or files | Parties representing employer(s) and worker(s); witnesses; conciliation officer | Worker(s), officer of the trade union raising the dispute, or party in dispute |
| Where it goes | Conciliation officer; copy to Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) if no conciliation | Central Government Industrial Tribunal with jurisdiction |
| Purpose | Record settlement terms | Seek adjudication and an award |
Form I: memorandum of settlement
Purpose and who uses it
Form I records a settlement reached in conciliation proceedings or outside them. The employer side and the worker side each sign. Rule 4 (covered in our article on rule 4) says who can sign on each side.
Contents as printed
- Names of parties: a line for those representing the employer(s) and a line for those representing the worker(s).
- Short recital of the case.
- Terms of settlement.
- Signature of the parties.
- Witnesses: two lines, (1) and (2).
- Signature of conciliation officer, marked with an asterisk.
A note at the foot says: "In case the settlement is arrived at between the employer and his workers otherwise than in the course of conciliation proceeding the copy of the memorandum shall be marked to the concerned Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)."
Practical points
- The conciliation officer's line applies when the settlement is in conciliation; the asterisk signals it is not needed otherwise.
- The recital should be short; the terms should be precise about who gets what and from when, because a settlement binds the persons named in the Code.
Form II: application to Tribunal
Purpose and who files
Form II is the application made before "the Central Government Industrial Tribunal" at the place of the Tribunal having jurisdiction where the dispute arises. It is signed by the worker(s) or an officer of the trade union raising the dispute, or the party in dispute; the form asks you to strike off what does not apply. The form carries its two references: rule 9(8) and rule 23(9). See our article on rule 9.
Contents as printed
- (A) Name and address of applicant(s).
- (B) Name and address of opposite party(ies), with "Versus" between them.
- Brief facts of the dispute, with a note that specific issues of dispute may be mentioned, connected and relevant to the dispute under section 22(1) or section 53(6) of the Code (strike off which does not apply).
- Prayer: the applicant(s) pray that the application be admitted for adjudication and that an appropriate award be passed.
- Name and signature of the worker(s), or officer of the trade union raising the dispute, or party in dispute.
Practical points
- State the issues of dispute specifically; the form invites it.
- Choose the right limb, section 22(1) or section 53(6), and strike off the other.
- Keep proof of the settlement attempts, since the route depends on the dispute's history. The form itself does not ask for annexures.
Example
A trade union and an employer sign a settlement in conciliation on revised allowances, using Form I, two witnesses and the conciliation officer's signature. Six months later, a different dispute on service conditions remains unresolved, and the union's office-bearer files Form II before the Industrial Tribunal with brief facts and the specific issues, striking off the section limb that does not apply.
Need help with settlements and Tribunal applications?
A settlement is only as good as its wording, and an application to the Tribunal should state the dispute clearly. Our legal dispute resolution team can help draft Form I terms, prepare Form II and represent you in the proceeding.
Key takeaways
- Form I records a settlement; Form II applies for adjudication.
- Form I needs parties' signatures, two witnesses and, in conciliation, the conciliation officer's signature.
- Outside conciliation, a copy of Form I is marked to the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).
- Form II is made before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal with jurisdiction, under section 22(1) or 53(6).
- These are Central Rules forms; State-sphere establishments follow State rules.
Read next
- Rule 4: memorandum of settlement
- Rule 9: recognition of negotiating union or council
- Sections 56-57: persons bound by settlements and awards
- Forms 3, 4 and 5: standing order register, notice of change, arbitration agreement
Disclaimer: Based on the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 342(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.