Forms XXIV 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 XXIV to XXVII are the last four forms in Annexure VII. Form XXIV is the agreement between a producer and an audio-visual worker. Form XXV is the improvement notice an Inspector-cum-Facilitator issues. Forms XXVI and XXVII are the application and notice used to compound an offence.
Form XXIV (rule 105): the agreement between producer and audio-visual worker, registered in this form, with 19 clauses. Form XXV (rule 78): improvement notice directing the establishment to rectify and submit a compliance report within 30 days of issue. Form XXVI (rule 182(1)): application for composition. Form XXVII (rules 182(1)-(3)): compounding notice, application and certificate in four parts; payment within fifteen days.
Where the forms come from
Under rule 2(1)(b) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026, the forms are those in Annexure VII. The four forms here belong to three different parts of the Rules: audio-visual workers (rule 105), inspection (rule 78) and compounding (rule 182). Our articles on rules 105-106, rule 78 and rule 182 cover the rules in detail.
The Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own OSH rules and forms apply. If you have received an improvement notice or a compounding notice, our legal dispute resolution team can help.
Form XXIV: agreement between producer and audio-visual worker
Rule 105 says the agreement for the audio-visual worker with the producer "shall be registered in FORM-XXIV". Form XXIV is a printed model agreement between the producer on the first part and the audio-visual worker on the second part, with a blank for date, names and addresses. The terms, as printed:
| Clause | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | Duration from the date of the agreement to completion of the production, not to exceed a stated number of consecutive months |
| 2 | Worker attends studio, location or workplace subject to previous engagements and on confirmation, as required by written intimation from the producer |
| 3 | Payment of a stated sum, an advance on signing and the balance in stated equal instalments |
| 4 | If production overruns and the producer still needs the worker, additional remuneration on a pro-rata basis, paid in the same manner |
| 5 | If the assignment ends early, the producer settles the account and pays the remaining balance in full before re-recording or censor work, whichever is earlier |
| 6 | The worker, if required, (a) attends early for preparatory work, at a stated rate per hour or part; (b) continues beyond the working day with one hour break, at a stated rate for the extended hours, with refreshments and transport facilities |
| 7 | Producer provides transport and food or pays travelling and food allowances, as customary or fixed by bilateral arrangements between the representative organisations |
| 8 | Producer pays travel, accommodation, fares, food and customary allowances for outdoor location work |
| 9 | Producer gets the worker insured for injury or damage, including death, by accident arising out of or in the course of employment or during the assignment |
| 10 | If production is prevented by fire, riot, natural calamity, order of public authority or another cause beyond control: (a) suspend the agreement, with written notice and payment of dues to the date of notice, reviving on resumption; or (b) terminate on complete cessation, with written notice and payment of all dues |
| 11 | Early termination by the producer for reasons other than misconduct or unwillingness only on payment of the balance of the stipulated amount; another worker may be engaged only after that payment |
| 12 | Termination for misconduct or unwillingness, on payment of dues for work done, but only after the charges are proved before a forum with equal representatives of the producers' and workers' organisations, whose decision binds both |
| 13 | On premature termination, the producer may choose whether to retain the worker's work in the production, and the worker may choose whether the name appears in the credit titles |
| 14 | Producer decides the worker's on-screen representation, clothes, make-up and hair style, if notified and accepted |
| 15 | Worker renders services with full ability as the producer or director directs |
| 16 | Worker complies with studio, location or workplace regulations |
| 17 | No assignment of the agreement by the producer without the worker's written consent |
| 18 | Chapter III of the Code on Social Security, 2020 applies to the agreement |
| 19 | Producer does not use the worker's work in any other production without the worker's prior permission |
It ends with the signatures of the producer and worker and two witnesses. The Code's provision on audio-visual workers is section 66, covered in our section 66 explainer.
Points to note: the sum, number of months, hourly rates and instalments are blanks to be filled by the parties; the Rules print no rates. Clause 7 refers to "customary" arrangements, and clause 12 gives a joint forum with a binding decision, which is part of the contract rather than a statutory body. Clause 10 mentions "the film" in the revival wording while the form speaks of "audio-visual production" elsewhere; read them as the same production. Clause 10(a) cross-refers to "Clause I", meaning clause 1.
Form XXV: improvement notice
Form XXV (See rule 78) is addressed to the name of the establishment (employer, principal employer or contractor), with address. The subject: notice regarding contraventions observed under the Code, the Central Rules, Regulations, Standards and Orders made under them. In three numbered paragraphs the Inspector-cum-Facilitator says:
- The undersigned conducted inspection of the establishment, engaged in a stated work, located at a stated place, on a stated date.
- The particulars of the establishment inspected and the contraventions of the provisions of the Code, the Rules, Regulations, Standards, Notifications and Orders observed are annexed.
- "You are hereby directed to rectify the contraventions / irregularities observed during inspections and submit compliance report (through speed post / electronic mode / designated portal) within 30 days from the date of issue of this notice, failing which necessary action will be initiated as per the relevant provisions of the statute without making any further correspondence in this regard."
It is signed by the Inspector-cum-Facilitator, with an enclosure.
This answers a gap in rule 78 itself, which states no time limit. The form states thirty days from the date of issue of the notice, and the compliance report goes by speed post, electronic mode or the designated portal. The form also warns that further action follows "without making any further correspondence", so there is no second reminder. The form says nothing about an appeal or extension; the text of the form and rule 78 are both silent. Our rule 78 explainer discusses the response.
Forms XXVI and XXVII: composition
Form XXVI (See rule 182(1)), "Application for composition of offence", has ten items: name of applicant; father's or spouse's name; address; name of establishment; particulars of the offence; section of the Code under which the offence is committed; maximum fine provided for the offence; whether prosecution against the applicant is pending; whether a first offence, or details of any prior offence; and any other information. It is signed by the applicant with date.
Form XXVII (See rule 182(1)), "Notice to the employer for an offence committed under the provisions of the Code for the first time for composition of offences", has four parts, issued by the officer except Part III:
| Part | Content |
|---|---|
| I | Name of person; name, address and registration number of establishment; particulars of offence; provisions violated; amount required for compounding; account details for deposit |
| II | Option to pay the entire amount in Part I within fifteen days from the date of issue and return the application in Part III; otherwise prosecution action without further opportunity |
| III (rule 182(2)) | Application under section 114: details of the amount deposited with receipt, details of any prosecution filed, first offence or prior offence details, other information |
| IV (rule 182(3)) | Composition certificate that the offence under the stated sub-section of section 114 has been compounded on receipt of the full amount |
Annexure VII lists Form XXVII as relating to "composition of offences under sub-section (1) of section 114". Time limits come from rule 182: payment within fifteen days of receipt of the notice (the form says from the date of issue), certificate within ten days of receipt of the amount, and prosecution after one month from the last date if unpaid. Our rule 182 article covers the steps, and the sums come from section 114 of the Code.
Practical examples
Example 1. A producer engages a sound recordist for a six-month project. The parties fill in Form XXIV, with payment terms and hourly rates, and register it as rule 105 requires.
Example 2. After an inspection, a plant receives Form XXV listing contraventions. It rectifies them and sends the compliance report through the portal within thirty days of the notice date.
Example 3. An employer receives Form XXVII with Part I details. It pays the stated amount within the time given, fills Part III with the receipt, and receives the Part IV certificate.
Compliance checklist
- Use Form XXIV for audio-visual engagements and fill in every blank.
- On receipt of Form XXV, diarise the thirty days from the date of issue, not the date of receipt.
- Prepare a point-by-point compliance report with evidence.
- If compounding, file Form XXVI and then Part III, and keep the Part IV certificate.
Need help with an improvement notice or compounding?
A short response period and a repeat-offence bar make early advice useful. Our team can prepare your compliance report, assess compounding and handle the forms. Start with our legal dispute resolution service.
Key takeaways
- Form XXIV is a 19-clause model agreement between a producer and an audio-visual worker, registered under rule 105.
- Form XXV requires a compliance report within 30 days from the date of issue.
- Form XXVI starts composition; Form XXVII carries the notice, application and certificate.
- The payment period in Form XXVII is fifteen days; rule 182 and the form differ on whether it runs from receipt or issue.
- The Rules print no wage or allowance rates in Form XXIV.
Read next
- Rules 105-106: audio-visual worker agreement and reference of disputes
- Rule 78: powers and duties of Inspector-cum-Facilitator and improvement notice
- Rule 182: manner of compounding of offences
- Annexures I to VII: first aid contents, ambulance room and forms list
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(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.