Rajasthan Industrial 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.
When a dispute with workers cannot be settled on the shop floor, the Rajasthan rules lay out three routes: voluntary arbitration, conciliation and adjudication by the Industrial Tribunal. This article follows rules 37 to 43 with the forms and time limits as printed, and notes where the text is silent.
An arbitration agreement is in Form-IX and carries the arbitrator's consent (rule 37). If conciliation fails, the officer reports within seven days of concluding it, and either party may apply to the Tribunal in Form-XII within ninety days of that report (rule 42). The Tribunal communicates its award within one month of pronouncing it. A settlement is registered in Form-XIII with a certificate in Form-XIV within thirty days (rule 43).
Which rule set this is
These are the Rajasthan Industrial Relation Rules, 2026, as notified by S.O.41 dated 12 August 2026 in the Rajasthan Gazette Extraordinary of the same date. Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette. Rule 1(3) says they come into force "on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette". Settlement papers are discussed in the first sibling article, Works Committee and Grievance Redressal Committee.
If a dispute has reached conciliation or the Tribunal, our legal dispute resolution team can assist with statements and forms. The Central rules are explained in the arbitration agreement and notification.
Arbitration (rules 37 to 39)
| Step | Rule | As printed |
|---|---|---|
| Agreement | 37(1) | In Form-IX, signed by the parties, with the written or electronic consent of the arbitrator or arbitrators |
| Signatories | 37(2) | Employer (or the authorised agent, manager or officer of a body corporate); for workers, an authorised officer of the registered trade union or three workers' representatives authorised at a meeting; for an individual worker, the worker or a union officer of which he is a member |
| Notification | 38 | If the State Government is satisfied that those making the reference represent the majority of each party, it publishes a notification in the Official Gazette and electronically so that non-party employers and workers concerned may present their case |
| No trade union | 39 | Representatives are chosen by a resolution of the majority of the concerned workers in Form-X; the workers are bound by their acts |
The word "officer" of a trade union means the President, Vice-President, Secretary (including General Secretary), a Joint Secretary, or any other officer authorised by the President and Secretary.
Industrial Tribunal members (rules 40 and 41)
The State Government may, on the High Court's recommendation, appoint a District Judge cadre officer of the Rajasthan Judicial Service as Judicial Member, with salary and allowances admissible to that cadre. An Administrative Member is appointed by notification; the person must hold the post of Joint Secretary to the Government or equivalent, or Additional Labour Commissioner with the degrees named in the rule, and must have seven years' experience of conciliation or quasi-judicial functions connected with labour disputes. Each member takes an oath of office and secrecy in Form-XI.
Conciliation (rule 42(1) to (6))
Where an industrial dispute exists or is apprehended, or a notice under section 62 has been given, the conciliation officer examines the application and issues notice declaring the intention to begin proceedings. In the first meeting the employer or the workers' representative submits a statement. If a settlement is reached, the officer reports to the State Government (or an authorised officer) with the memorandum of settlement in Form-I. If not, the report goes in within seven days from the end of the proceedings, is made available to the parties and contains the submissions of the parties, the officer's efforts, the reasons for refusal and the conclusion. The Central position is in conciliation proceedings.
Before the Tribunal (rule 42(7) to (20))
| Stage | Time limit as printed |
|---|---|
| Application to the Tribunal in Form-XII, electronically or otherwise | Within ninety days from the date of the conciliation report |
| Statement of claim with documents, list of witnesses | Within thirty days from the date the application is filed |
| First hearing | As soon as possible and within one month from receipt of the application |
| Written statement by the opposite party | Within thirty days from the date of first hearing |
| Extension where the claim copy was not forwarded | Fifteen days, on sufficient cause |
| Arguments | Not beyond fifteen days from closure of evidence |
| Adjournments | Ordinarily not exceeding a week at a time; not more than three in all (reasons in writing for longer) |
| Award communicated | Within one month from the date of pronouncement |
Evidence may be recorded in the Tribunal or filed on affidavit, with a right to cross-examine each deponent. If a party defaults, the Tribunal may proceed ex parte, and may revoke that order on application before the award if absence was on justifiable grounds. Assessors, where appointed, advise but their advice is not binding. Copies of an award or a document are available on payment of two rupees per page, with two rupees per page for certifying and an additional fee equal to one-half of the fee for immediate delivery. Proceedings are in open court, with video conferencing and in-camera examination allowed on direction.
Registration of a settlement (rule 43)
On an application with a signed Form-I, the conciliation officer may inquire. If the settlement is registered, it is entered in Form-XIII and a certificate in Form-XIV is issued to all parties within thirty days of receipt of the application. If registration is refused, the parties are told with reasons within thirty days. Intimation of registration or refusal goes to the Labour Commissioner, Rajasthan, within seven days.
Recovery applications
This chapter of the Rajasthan rules does not print a separate procedure for applications to recover money due from an employer. For the Central procedure, see application for recovery of dues, and check the State Gazette for any later State notification.
A worked example
Shekhawati Cement Ltd has a dispute with its workers' union over a bonus issue. Conciliation fails, and the officer's report is dated early in the month. The union's counsel files the Form-XII application within ninety days, with the statement of claim, documents and witness list within thirty days of filing. The company files its written statement within thirty days of the first hearing. Both sides keep track of the three-adjournment limit.
Common lapses
- Filing the Tribunal application after ninety days from the conciliation report.
- Using a format other than Form-IX for an arbitration agreement or omitting the arbitrator's consent.
- Missing the thirty-day window for the written statement.
- Not recording the date of the conciliation report, from which the ninety days run.
- Assuming a recovery procedure exists in this chapter.
Need help with an industrial dispute?
If a dispute is moving from conciliation to the Tribunal, our legal dispute resolution team can prepare the Form-XII application and the statement of claim against the printed time limits. Bring the conciliation report and the dispute papers.
Key takeaways
- Arbitration agreements are in Form-IX; workers without a union authorise representatives in Form-X.
- The conciliation report is due within seven days of the end of proceedings.
- Form-XII applications to the Tribunal must come within ninety days of that report.
- The Tribunal communicates its award within one month of pronouncing it.
- A settlement is registered in Form-XIII and a Form-XIV certificate issued within thirty days.
Read next
- Rajasthan Industrial Relation Rules: standing orders and notice of change
- Rajasthan Industrial Relation Rules: strike, lock-out, lay-off, retrenchment, closure and re-skilling fund
- Central IR Rules: application for recovery of dues
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.