Andhra Pradesh 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.
The last two chapters of the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026 cover compounding of offences, the protected workers a union may nominate, complaints and enquiries, record keeping and fees of a Commissioner appointed by the Tribunal. Sixteen Forms are appended, along with the model standing orders and the adopted trade union regulations.
If you have received a compounding notice or a complaint, our legal dispute resolution team can help you answer it within the time allowed.
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.111 dated 12 June 2026. The compounding officer sends Form XV (three parts) through the State Labour Department portal; the accused applies in Part III and deposits the amount within fifteen days of receiving it (rule 40). A union names protected workers before 30 April each year, and the employer recognises them within fifteen days for twelve months (rule 41).
Notification and commencement
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.111 dated 12 June 2026. Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette. Rule 1(2) says they come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette; the four Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. The preceding chapters are in our article on strikes, retrenchment and closure.
Compounding of offences (rule 40)
The Central rule is rule 38 of the Central Rules. The Andhra Pradesh text:
- Notice. The officer notified by the State Government under section 89(1), if of the opinion that an offence is compoundable and prosecution has not been instituted, sends the accused a notice in Form XV, "consisting of three parts", through the designated portal of the State Labour Department.
- The three parts. Part I gives the offender's particulars, details of the offence and the section, and the compounding amount. Part II states the consequences if the offence is not compounded. Part III is the application the accused files if he wishes to compound.
- Unique number. Each notice carries a continuous unique number with details such as the compounding officer, establishment, year, place and type of inspection.
- Response. The accused sends Part III electronically and deposits the amount electronically, by cash or by demand draft "within fifteen days of the receipt".
- Effect. If the accused complies, the officer compounds the offence for the amount deposited. Before prosecution, no complaint is instituted. Pending a proceeding under section 85, the officer intimates the enquiry officer, who closes the proceeding. After prosecution, the accused applies to the court, and on its permission the officer treats the case as closed and intimates the court, which discharges the accused.
- Control. The compounding officer acts under the direction, control and supervision of the State Government.
Protected workers (rule 41)
The Central rule is rule 39 of the Central Rules.
- Every registered union connected with an establishment communicates to the employer before the 30th April of every year the names and addresses of its officers employed there whom it wants recognised as protected workers.
- A change in the incumbent officers is communicated within fifteen days.
- The employer, within fifteen days of receipt and subject to section 90(3) and (4), recognises them and communicates the list in writing for twelve months from the date of that communication.
- If the names exceed the maximum number admissible under section 90(4), the employer recognises only the maximum. With more than one union, the maximum is distributed in proportion to membership, and the employer informs the President or Secretary of each union in writing of its allotment. If the allotment is short of the officers sought, the union selects the officers and tells the employer within five days of the written intimation.
- A dispute goes to the Assistant, Deputy or Joint Commissioner of Labour concerned, whose decision is final.
Complaints, authorisation and enquiry (rules 42 to 46)
- Complaint (rule 42). A complaint of an aggrieved employee under section 91 is made in Form-XVI, electronically or by registered or speed post, with copies for each opposite party, and verified by the employee or an authorised representative.
- Authorisation (rules 43 and 44). A worker who is not a union member may authorise a union office-bearer or another worker of the industry to represent him, and an employer who is not an association member may authorise an association officer, each in Form-VI.
- Enquiry (rule 45). Complaints of offences under the listed sub-sections of section 86 and section 89(7) are enquired into by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Labour. Notice goes electronically, or by registered or speed post, and a copy is uploaded on the portal. A party who does not appear may be heard ex parte; a complainant absent on two consecutive dates without intimation may see the complaint dismissed. Not more than three adjournments are allowed on a joint application, and the officer may permit hearing through video conferencing. A complaint filed beyond six months from the date of the offence may be refused. The officer's order records the complaint date, the parties, section-wise details, the plea, the findings, evidence, reasons and penalty, and the officer is guided by the relevant Orders of the First Schedule of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 as the rule prints.
- Witness expenses (rule 46). Witnesses before the Tribunal, National Industrial Tribunal or an arbitral tribunal are paid an allowance at the civil court rates of the State.
Other miscellaneous rules (rules 47 to 53)
- Rule 47. A copy each of Forms XI, XII, XIII, XIV and XV is shared electronically with the Director General, Labour Bureau.
- Rule 48. The State Government, tribunals, every employer for whom the State Government is the appropriate Government, every union, negotiating union or council constituent and every authority specifies an email id, website or portal on its letter-heads for service of messages and documents.
- Rule 49. Records, registers, forms, notices and display boards are also maintained in electronic manner and are produced to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator or the concerned authority on request.
- Rules 50 to 52. The Tribunal may appoint a Commissioner (an experienced person, a former civil court judge, a stipendiary magistrate or a registrar or secretary of a tribunal), fixes his fees after consulting the parties, directs the deposit into the treasury, and fixes a date for the report, with extensions on application.
- Rule 53. The Andhra Pradesh Trade Union Regulations are adopted per the Appendix, as described in our article on trade unions and recognition.
The Forms appended to the rules
| Form | Rule | Subject as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Form-I | 4 | Memorandum of settlement |
| Form-II | 11 | Application before the Tribunal on union disputes |
| Form III | 19 | Register of certified standing orders (Parts I and II) |
| Form-IV | 21 | Notice of change |
| Form-V | 22 | Agreement for voluntary arbitration |
| Form-VI | 24, 43, 44 | Authorisation of representative |
| Form-VII to Form-X | 26 | Applications for recovery of dues and computation of benefits |
| Form-XI | 27, 47 | Notice of strike |
| Form-XII | 28, 47 | Notice of lock-out |
| Form-XIII | 29, 31, 47 | Notice of retrenchment or closure |
| Form-XIV | 32, 33, 35, 37, 47 | Application for permission for lay-off, retrenchment or closure |
| Form-XV | 40, 47 | Compounding notice (Parts I to III) |
| Form-XVI | 42 | Complaint under section 91 |
Schedule-A (manufacturing) and Schedule-B (service) carry the model standing orders, and the Appendix carries the Trade Union Regulations with Forms A, B, C, C1, D to D4, E, F and G. The Central forms are described in Forms 14 to 16 of the Central Rules; employers in Andhra Pradesh use the State Forms.
A worked example
Tadepalli Steels, an invented employer, receives a Form XV notice through the portal. Part I names a compounding amount and the offence; Part II records the consequence of non-compounding. The company's manager fills Part III and deposits the amount electronically within fifteen days. The compounding officer closes the matter, and no complaint can be filed. In a separate matter, the company's union gives the list of protected workers before 30 April and the company confirms it in writing within fifteen days.
Common lapses
- Ignoring a Form XV notice beyond fifteen days.
- Not communicating the protected workers list by 30 April, or the employer failing to confirm within fifteen days.
- Using an email or portal not listed on the letter-head.
- Sending complaints beyond six months from the offence.
Need help with a compounding notice or complaint?
A short review of the notice, the account named in it and the deposit mode can avoid a missed deadline. Our legal dispute resolution team can assist.
Key takeaways
- Form XV compounding: three parts; fifteen days to apply and pay.
- Protected workers: list before 30 April; employer confirms within fifteen days; valid twelve months.
- Complaints in Form-XVI; enquiry by an officer not below Deputy Commissioner of Labour.
- Sixteen Forms, two Schedules of model standing orders and the adopted trade union regulations.
Read next
- Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: registration of trade unions, returns and the negotiating union
- Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: strike, lock-out, lay-off, retrenchment, closure and the Re-skilling Fund
- Rule 38 of the Industrial Relations Central Rules, 2026: manner of composition of offence
- Rule 39 of the Industrial Relations Central Rules, 2026: protected workers
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.