Forms XI, XII and XIII under the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026: Notice of Strike, Lock-out and Retrenchment or Closure

Forms XI 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.

Three notice forms sit in the Schedule to the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026. Form XI is a union's notice of strike. Form XII is an employer's notice of lock-out. Form XIII is an employer's notice to the Central Government of retrenchment or closure under Chapter IX of the Code. This article explains who gives each, when, and what each contains as printed.

Form XI (rule 25) is the notice of strike under section 62(1), given by the union's Secretary or by five elected representatives of the workers, with a copy to the conciliation officer, the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment. Form XII (rule 26) is the notice of lock-out under section 62(2), with the reasons in an annexure. Form XIII (rules 27 and 29) is the online notice of retrenchment or closure; it notes that intimation of closure and retrenchment is served sixty days and thirty days before commencement respectively.

Legal background

Section 62 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 prohibits a strike or lock-out without notice. Among the conditions in s.62(1) and (2): notice within sixty days before striking or locking out, and no strike or lock-out within fourteen days of giving notice or before the date in the notice. There are also bars during conciliation, Tribunal or arbitration proceedings and while a settlement or award operates. Section 62(4) and (5) leave the manner of notice to the rules. Chapter IX covers lay-off and retrenchment compensation, with s.70 (retrenchment), s.74 (closure notice) and s.75 (closure compensation). See our articles on section 62, section 74 and our earlier guide on strikes and lock-outs under the old Act.

These Rules apply to Central-sphere establishments. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's rules apply. A strike or lock-out notice that is defective can make the action illegal, so our labour law compliance team can check the notice before it goes out.

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At a glance

Form XI: notice of strike

Who and to whom

It is headed "Notice of strike by union (name of union)/group of workers". The header lists the name of the union, or the names of five elected representatives of the workers. It is addressed to the employer.

Contents as printed

• Date.
• Text: "In accordance with the provisions contained in sub-section (1) of section 62 ... I/We hereby give you notice that I propose to call a strike / we propose to go on strike on ...... for the reasons explained in the Annexure."
• Signature: Secretary of the Union; where no union, the five representatives "duly elected at a meeting held on ... (date), vide resolution attached".
• Annexure: statement of the case.
• Copy to: (1) the conciliation officer (office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) or Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) of the area); (2) the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi; (3) the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, New Delhi.

The resolution must be attached for the five-representative route. See rules 25 and 26.

Form XII: notice of lock-out

Contents as printed

• Employer's name, address and date.
• Text: under section 62(2), "I/we hereby give notice to all concerned that it is my/our intention to effect lock out in ... department(s), section(s) of my/our establishment with effect from ... for the reasons explained in the Annexure."
• Signature and designation.
• Annexure: 1. Statement of reasons.
• Copy forwarded to: (1) Secretary of the registered union, if any; (2) conciliation officer of the area; (3) Chief Labour Commissioner (Central); (4) Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

It is for a lock-out notice; Form XII does not itself state the sixty and fourteen day periods, which come from section 62.

Form XIII: notice of retrenchment or closure

Purpose and mode

Titled "Notice of retrenchment/closure to Central Government under Chapter IX". It is to be submitted online; in case of exigencies, on paper in the prescribed format. It opens with the name of the establishment, undertaking or employer, the Labour Identification Number and the date. A Note says intimation for closure and retrenchment "shall be served sixty days and thirty days before commencement of closure/retrenchment respectively". It is addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Contents as printed

1. Retrenchment (under "section 70(C)" as printed): decision to retrench a stated number of workers out of a total, with effect from a date; or Closure under section 74(1): decision to close down the undertaking from a date, with number of workers affected.
2. Reason for retrenchment or closure.
3. One month's notice in writing given on a date under section 70(a) or 75(1), or one month's pay in lieu given.
4. Declaration that workers have been or will be paid all dues and compensation under section 70 or section 75 before or on expiry of the notice period; or a statement that insolvency proceedings are on and dues will be paid under the concerned laws.
5. For retrenchment: declaration of compliance with sections 71 and 72.
6. Declaration that no court case is pending, or details annexed.
7. Declaration that the information is true and the signer is solely responsible for its accuracy.

It is signed by the employer or authorised representative with seal (authorisation letter to be enclosed), with copies to the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and to registered unions or authorised representatives of workers. Note numbers are to be shown in figures and words.

For rules 27 to 29 see our article on rules 27-29. Retrenchment under the old Act: Section 25F requirements.

Example

A Central-sphere establishment decides to close a unit. HR fills Form XIII online with the Labour Identification Number, names the undertaking and number of workers, states the reasons, confirms the one-month notice or pay in lieu, declares dues will be paid before the notice period ends, and marks copies to the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the union.

Need help with strike, lock-out or retrenchment notices?

Notices under section 62 and Chapter IX carry consequences if drafted or served wrongly. Our labour law compliance service can help prepare Form XI, XII or XIII, the attachments and the copy list for your establishment.

Key takeaways

• Form XI is given by the union Secretary or five elected representatives, with a statement of the case.
• Form XII names the departments or sections to be locked out and the reasons.
• Form XIII is submitted online, with the Labour Identification Number, and carries declarations on dues, compliance and pending cases.
• The Form XIII note gives sixty days (closure) and thirty days (retrenchment) for intimation.
• State-sphere establishments follow their State's rules.

Read next

• Section 62: prohibition of strikes and lock-outs
• Section 74: sixty days notice of closure
• Rules 25-26: notice of strike and lock-out
• Forms 14, 15 and 16: permission applications, composition and complaint

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.