Forms II 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 II, III and VIII are the dispute forms of the Central Rules. Form II is the single claim application for a group of employees; Form III is the appeal against the authority's order; Form VIII has two notices, one issued by the claims authority and one by the appellate authority. This article walks through each form as printed, so an employee, union or employer knows what goes where. If you plan to file or answer one, a legal dispute resolution adviser can prepare it.
Form II (rule 49(1)) is a single application under section 45(5) before the authority under section 45(1), with six numbered paragraphs: employment, the employer, the grounds (a) to (f), the estimated relief, the prayer under section 45(2) and a declaration. Form III (rule 50(1)) is an appeal under section 49(1) with six items, including a declaration that no other appeal, writ petition or suit is filed or pending. Form VIII (rules 49(2), 50(2)) is the notice to the respondent: part (A) from the claims authority, part (B) from the appellate authority. These Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government; otherwise the State's own wage rules apply.
Where the forms sit in the process
| Step | Rule | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Employees, a registered trade union or an Inspector-cum-Facilitator file a claim | 49(1) | Form II |
| Authority notifies the employer to appear | 49(2) | Form VIII (A) |
| A person aggrieved by the order appeals | 50(1) | Form III |
| Appellate authority notifies the respondent | 50(2) | Form VIII (B) |
See rules 48 and 49 and rule 50 for the procedure, and section 45 and section 49 for the Code.
Form II: single application under section 45(5)
Heading: "See sub rule (1) of rule 49". "Before the authority appointed under sub-section (1) of section 45 of the Code on Wages, 2019".
Cause title. Area; Application No. ... of 20...; "Between ABC and (state the number) ... other ... Applicant (through employees concerned or registered trade union or Inspector-cum-Facilitator)", with address, "And XYZ", with address.
Body.
| Para | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| 1 | The applicants, named in the attached schedule, were employed from ... to ... as ... (category) in ... (establishment) of Shri or M/s ..., engaged in ... (nature of work) which is covered by the Code on Wages, 2019 |
| 2 | The opponent is the employer within the meaning of section 2(l) |
| 3 | The grounds, as applicable: (a) wages paid below the minimum rates fixed for the category, by Rs ... per day, for stated periods; (b) wages at Rs ... per day not paid for weekly days of rest, for stated periods; (c) wages at overtime rates not paid for stated periods; (d) wages not paid for a stated period; (e) deductions in contravention of the Code, with details in an annexure; (f) minimum bonus not paid for an accounting year |
| 4 | The applicants' estimate of the value of relief on each amount: (a), (b), (c), and a total |
| 5 | The prayer for a direction under section 45(2): (a) payment of the difference between wages payable and wages actually paid, (b) payment of remuneration for the days of rest, (c) payment of wages at overtime rates, (d) compensation of Rs ... |
| 6 | A solemn declaration that the facts stated are true to the applicants' knowledge, belief and information |
Then date and signature or thumb impression of the employed person(s), or of the official of a registered trade union duly authorised, or of the Inspector-cum-Facilitator. The Note says that the applicants may, if required, append annexures with details.
Observations.
- Section 45(2) lets the authority order compensation "which may extend to ten times of the claim determined". Para 5(d) leaves the compensation amount blank for the applicant to state.
- Paragraphs 3(a) to (f) are the grounds printed in the Form. Rule 49(1) also mentions "any incident of discrimination", but the Form has no separate ground for it; if the claim is of that kind, para 3(d) or the annexure would have to carry it. The text does not say.
- Rule 49(1) says documents are to be attached "as specified in the said Form". The Form names only the schedule of applicants and annexures. No further document list is printed.
- Typographical errors in the signature line ("Signatire", "Emplyed", "registerd") do not alter the sense.
Form III: appeal under section 49(1)
Heading: "See sub rule (1) of rule 50". Cause title: A.B.C. (appellant) versus C.D.E. (respondent), with addresses.
| Item | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| 1 | Particulars of the order: number and date; the authority that passed it; amount awarded; compensation awarded, if any |
| 2 | Facts of the case: a concise statement in chronological order, each paragraph, as nearly as possible, a separate issue or fact |
| 3 | Grounds for appeal |
| 4 | Declaration that the appellant has not previously filed any appeal, writ petition or suit about the matter before any court or authority, and none is pending |
| 5 | Reliefs sought |
| 6 | List of enclosures (four lines printed) |
Then the appellant's signature, date and place, and an "For office use" panel: date of filing or date of receipt by post, registration number and authorised signatory.
Item 4 is the only declaration in the Form; read it with care before filing if any other proceeding exists on the same dispute. An employer's appeal must be accompanied by deposit of the claim amount (rule 50(1) proviso); Form III itself has no field for the deposit receipt, so it goes under "List of enclosures". The ninety-day period is in section 49(1), not in the Form.
Form VIII: notices
Part (A): notice from the authority (rule 49(2))
Titled "Form of notice to the respondent to be issued by the authority under sub-section (5) of section 45", with the title of the application. Addressed "To ... Name Address". It says that the applicant (name) has made the application under the Code on Wages, 2019, and the respondent is "summoned to appear before me in person or by a duly authorized representative", to "answer all material questions relating to the application", on the stated day, month, year and time, or to be accompanied by someone authorised and able to answer. It adds that since the day fixed is "appointed for the final disposal of the application", the respondent must "be prepared to produce on that day all the witnesses upon whose evidence and the documents upon which you intend to rely in support of your defense". Warning: "in default of your appearance ... the application will be heard and disposed of in your absence." Signed by the authority with seal and dated.
Part (B): notice from the appellate authority (rule 50(2))
Titled "Form of notice to the respondent to be issued by the appellate authority under sub-section (1) of section 49", with the title of the appeal. It tells the respondent that an appeal (copy enclosed) under section 49 has been presented by (name of appellant), and that a stated day has been fixed for hearing; if no one appears in person or by an authorised representative, the appeal "will be heard and decided in your absence". It does not ask the respondent to bring witnesses or documents. Signed by the appellate authority with seal and dated.
Slips and gaps across the three forms
- Form VIII(A) is headed "under sub-section (5) of section 45", though the claim itself is under section 45(1) to (4) and the single application under (5). The reference follows Form II's own heading.
- Rule 50(3) and (4) use "application" and "authority" for the appellate stage; Form VIII(B) correctly speaks of an "appeal" and the "appellate authority". See rule 50.
- No form carries a fee, a stamp or an affidavit field. The text is silent.
- The Forms do not say how electronic filing is authenticated.
Need help with a Form II claim or a Form III appeal?
A claim or an appeal is only as strong as its first page. Our legal dispute resolution team can prepare Form II with the schedule and annexures, draft Form III with the right grounds and deposit, and respond to a Form VIII notice for the employer.
Key takeaways
- Form II is one application for a group; para 3 lists six possible grounds.
- Form III carries a declaration that no other appeal, writ petition or suit is filed or pending.
- Form VIII has two parts: (A) for the claims authority and (B) for the appellate authority.
- Form VIII(A) asks the respondent to bring witnesses and documents; Form VIII(B) only gives a hearing date.
- The Forms print no deposit, fee or stamp field.
Read next
- Rules 48 and 49: returns and procedure for filing claims
- Rule 50: procedure for filing appeal
- Forms V, VI and VII: wage slip, composition and nomination
- Section 49: appeal
Disclaimer: Based on the Code on Wages, 2019 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 343(E), 8 May 2026), as on 1 October 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government, and wage rates are notified separately. Verify the current position before acting.