Forms III 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.
Forms III, IV and V serve three separate jobs. Form III is the register an establishment keeps of its standing orders. Form IV is the notice an employer gives before changing service conditions listed in the Third Schedule. Form V is the agreement by which an employer and workers send a dispute to voluntary arbitration. This article explains each as printed in the Schedule to the Rules.
Form III (rule 17) is a register for certified standing orders with two parts: an 11-column table and the electronically enclosed certified standing orders. Form IV (rule 19) is the notice of change of service conditions under section 40(1), with an annexure, copied to the union secretary or negotiating body and the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central). Form V (rule 20) is the agreement for voluntary arbitration, naming the arbitrators, the matters in dispute, worker numbers, and the period for the award. The forms give no fee and apply to Central-sphere establishments.
The forms in context
Standing orders are covered in sections 28 to 39 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (see sections 33-35 on the register), notice of change in sections 40 and 41 with the Third Schedule (section 40-41), and voluntary arbitration in section 42 (section 42). The Central Rules apply to Central-sphere establishments; where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's rules apply.
If you keep standing orders or plan a change in service conditions, our labour law compliance team can help prepare the register and notice.
At a glance
| Form | Rule | Name | Who uses it | Key content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | 17 | Register for certified standing orders | Establishment / certifying side | 11 columns; electronic enclosure |
| IV | 19 | Notice of change of service conditions | Employer | Intended change, date, annexure, copies |
| V | 20 | Agreement for voluntary arbitration | Employer and worker side | Arbitrator(s), five particulars, award period |
Form III: register for certified standing orders
Purpose
It records each establishment's standing orders and what happened to them: whether the standing order is model, deemed, or certified, dates, appeals and amendments. Part II says to enclose the certified copy of the standing orders electronically, which links to rule 47's electronic records requirement.
Part I columns as printed
| No. | Column |
|---|---|
| (1) | Unique and continuous number |
| (2) | Name of the industrial establishment |
| (3) | Nature of the industrial establishment |
| (4) | Areas of operation of the industrial establishment |
| (5) | Whether standing order is (a) model standing order, (b) deemed standing order or (c) certified standing order |
| (6) | Date of adoption or date of deemed authentication or date of certification / authentication of standing order |
| (7) | Date of filing appeal |
| (8) | Date and nature of decision |
| (9) | Amendment made on appeal, if any |
| (10) | Date of dispatch of the copy of standing orders as settled on appeal |
| (11) | Any other relevant detail |
See our article on rules 17 and 18.
Form IV: notice of change of service conditions
Purpose and who gives it
The employer gives it "in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 40", notifying "all concerned" of an intention to make changes, with effect from a stated date, in the conditions of service applicable to workers "in respect of the matters specified in the Third Schedule". See our article on the Third Schedule.
Contents as printed
- Employer's name, address and date.
- The statement of intention and the effective date.
- Signature and designation.
- Annexure: specify the change or changes intended.
- Copy forwarded to: (1) the Secretary of the registered Trade Union, if any, or the Secretary of the negotiating union or a constituent of the negotiating council; (2) the concerned Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).
The form carries no notice period. The period is in section 40 of the Code; read it there. The form's rule reference is rule 19 (see rule 19).
Example
An employer proposes to change shift timings, a Third Schedule matter. HR fills Form IV, describes the change in the annexure, gives the date from which it applies, signs, and sends copies to the union secretary and the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).
Form V: agreement for voluntary arbitration
Purpose
The parties agree to refer a dispute to arbitration by named arbitrator(s), under rule 20 (see rules 20-22).
Contents as printed
- Parties: those representing the employer(s) and those representing the worker.
- The sentence agreeing to refer the dispute to the arbitration of the named arbitrator(s), with name(s) and address(es).
- Particulars: (i) specific matters in dispute; (ii) details of parties, including the establishment or undertaking; (iii) the worker involved or the union representing the workers; (iv) total workers employed in the undertaking affected; (v) estimated workers affected or likely to be affected.
- A starred clause: majority decision of arbitrators binds; if equally divided they appoint an umpire whose award binds.
- The period within which the award is to be made, specified by the parties, counted from publication of the agreement in the Official Gazette by the Central Government, or within further time extended by mutual written agreement. If the award is not made in that period, the reference to arbitration "shall stand automatically cancelled" and the parties may negotiate for a fresh arbitrator.
- Signatures of the parties (employer representative, any officer of the Trade Union, or worker representative), and two witnesses.
- Copy to (i) the conciliation officer for the area and (ii) the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The form does not itself state an award period; the parties choose it.
Need help with standing orders, notices and arbitration?
Keeping the register current, getting a change notice right, and drafting a clear arbitration agreement all prevent later disputes. Our labour law compliance service can help you set these up for a Central-sphere establishment.
Key takeaways
- Form III is an 11-column register of standing orders, with the certified copy enclosed electronically.
- Form IV gives notice under section 40(1) of change in Third Schedule matters and is copied to the union and the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).
- Form V fixes the arbitrator(s), matters in dispute, worker numbers and the award period.
- If Form V's award is not made in the agreed period, the reference stands cancelled.
- State-sphere establishments follow their State's rules.
Read next
- Rules 17-18: register of standing orders and application for modification
- Rule 19: notice for change in service conditions
- Section 42: voluntary reference of disputes to arbitration
- Schedule 3: conditions of service requiring notice of change
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.