Standing Orders 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.
Chapters III and IV of the Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021 (rules 8 to 17) set the steps for adopting or certifying standing orders and for giving notice before a change in conditions of service. The employer works electronically throughout, with fixed periods for the certifying officer and for appeals.
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021, as notified on 5 October 2021 (No. KHR-2021-129-IDA-122020-539471-M(2)), in force from the commencement of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. An employer adopting the Central model standing orders intimates the certifying officer electronically; if there is no observation in thirty days, adoption is deemed (rule 8). An appeal against the certifying officer is filed within sixty days (rule 13). A notice of change is given in Form II (rule 17).
Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette.
Commencement
Rule 1(3) reads: "They shall come into the force from the commencement of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020." The four Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. The rules supersede the Bombay Industrial Employment (Standing Order) Rules, 1959, among others, as covered in our article on the Works Committee and Grievance Redressal Committee. If you need the standing orders drafted or reviewed, see our employment and labour law advisory service.
The Central rules on the same subject are in rule 10, rules 13 and 14 and rule 19. Gujarat's text follows.
What the employer must do
| Obligation | Rule | Form or register | Time limit as printed | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intimate adoption of model standing orders | 8(1) | Electronic intimation of the date of adoption | Not stated | Certifying officer |
| Respond to the certifying officer's direction | 8(2) | Amend and send compliance report electronically | Within thirty days of the direction | Certifying officer |
| Deemed adoption | 8(3) | None | If no observation within thirty days of the information | Certifying officer |
| Statement with draft standing orders | 11 | Statement signed by an authorised person | With the draft | Certifying officer |
| Joint draft by similar establishments | 12 | Joint draft after consulting the Trade Union | Submitted to the Commissioner/Director of Labour | Commissioner/Director of Labour |
| Appeal against certifying officer's order | 13 | Memorandum of appeal in tabular form, filed electronically | Within sixty days of receipt of the order | Appellate authority |
| Keep the standing orders | 14 | Text in English and in Gujarati | Not stated | Employer |
| Application to modify | 16 | Electronic application with tabular statement | Not stated | Certifying officer |
| Notice of change | 17 | Form II | Before the change | Affected worker; Trade Union secretary |
Adopting the model standing orders (rule 8)
An employer who adopts the Central model standing orders, so far as relevant, intimates the certifying officer electronically the date from which the relevant provisions have been adopted. Within thirty days of receipt the certifying officer may state that certain provisions should be included, identify the model provisions not adopted, and direct amendment by addition, deletion or modification within thirty days of the direction; a compliance report on those provisions only is sent electronically. If no observation is made within thirty days, the standing order is deemed adopted.
Draft standing orders (rules 9 to 12)
- Workers' representatives (rule 9). Where no Trade Union operates, the certifying officer calls a meeting of the workers to choose three representatives, to whom a copy of the draft is forwarded; objections are to be submitted within fifteen days of receipt of the notice.
- Authentication (rule 10). Certified standing orders, or orders of the appellate authority, are authenticated by the certifying officer or appellate authority and sent electronically within a week to all concerned. No certification is needed for deemed certification or where the employer has certified adoption of the model standing orders.
- Statement with the draft (rule 11). For a draft, the statement gives the establishment name, address, e-mail address, contact number, strength and details of workers including the union to which they belong. For a modification, it gives the provisions to be modified in a tabular statement of present provision, proposed modification and reasons, signed by an authorised person.
- Similar establishments (rule 12). A group of employers in similar establishments may submit a joint draft after consulting the concerned Trade Union, to the Commissioner/Director of Labour, who, in consultation with the certifying officers, certifies or refuses to certify with recorded reasons.
Appeal (rule 13)
An employer or Trade Union appealing against the certifying officer's order under section 30(5) draws up, within sixty days of receiving the order, a memorandum of appeal in tabular form stating the provisions to be altered, modified, deleted or added, and the reasons, and files it electronically with the appellate authority. The authority fixes a hearing, gives notice to the opposite parties, may call evidence and disposes of the appeal after hearing the parties.
Language, register and modification (rules 14 to 16)
The finally certified standing order is sent electronically except in deemed certification. Rule 14(2) requires the text of the standing orders, finally certified, deemed certified or adopted, to be maintained by the employer in English and in Gujarati. The certifying officer keeps an electronic register of all certified standing orders with the unique number, establishment name and nature, date of certification or adoption and area of operation; a copy of a certified standing order is furnished on payment of two rupees per page, payable also by electronic mode (rule 15). An application to modify under section 35(2) is made electronically, with a tabular statement and details of the registered unions operating in the establishment, signed by an authorised person (rule 16).
Notice of change (rule 17)
An employer intending to change conditions of service on any matter in the Third Schedule to the Code gives notice in Form II to each affected worker. The notice is displayed conspicuously on the notice board at the main entrance of the establishment and at the office of the concerned Manager. Where there is a registered Trade Union, a copy is served on its Secretary, or on each union's Secretary.
A worked example
Rajkot Auto Components Pvt Ltd adopts the Central model standing orders and intimates the certifying officer electronically with the adoption date. The certifying officer makes no observation within thirty days, so adoption is deemed. Two months later the firm proposes to change shift timings, a Third Schedule matter: it gives Form II notice to every affected worker, displays it at the main gate and the Manager's office, and serves a copy on the union Secretary. The company's standing orders text is kept in English and in Gujarati.
Need help with standing orders?
Drafting, adoption and modification of standing orders carries fixed periods and bilingual keeping. Our employment and labour law advisory team can prepare the statement, the draft and the Form II notice for your Gujarat establishment.
Key takeaways
- Adopting the Central model standing orders is intimated electronically; no observation in thirty days means deemed adoption.
- Appeals against the certifying officer's order must be filed within sixty days.
- Keep the standing orders in English and in Gujarati.
- A copy of a certified standing order costs two rupees per page.
- Changes in Third Schedule matters need a Form II notice to the worker, displayed and served on the union.
Read next
- Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021: works committee and grievance redressal committee
- Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021: arbitration, conciliation and tribunal procedure
- Rule 10 of the Central Rules: model standing orders
Disclaimer: Based on the State or Union territory rules named above, as notified under the Labour Codes and consulted on 4 October 2026. Later amendments, State notifications, fees and forms should be checked in the State Gazette and on the State labour department website. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.