Rajasthan 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 chapters of the Rajasthan Industrial Relation Rules cover how an offence under the Code is compounded, how union officers are recognised as protected workers, how a worker complains of unfair practice and which Forms go with each rule. This article lists them all with the time limits as printed.
A compounding officer sends the accused a Form-XIX notice in three parts; the accused files Part III and deposits the amount within fifteen days of receipt (rule 56). A registered union tells the employer its proposed protected workers before 30 April every year; the employer replies within fifteen days with the list recognised for twelve months (rule 57). Rule 61 requires copies of Forms XV to XIX to be shared with the Director General, Labour Bureau.
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". For the union and recognition rules that sit alongside protected workers, see trade union registration, returns and the negotiating union.
If an offence notice or a complaint has arrived, our legal dispute resolution team can help with the response. The Central rule is in manner of composition of offence.
Compounding of offences (rule 56)
| Step | What rule 56 prints |
|---|---|
| Who compounds | The officer notified by the State Government for section 89(1) (the compounding officer), where prosecution has not been instituted |
| Notice | In Form-XIX, electronically or otherwise, in three parts: Part I names the offender, the offence, the section and the compounding amount; Part II states the consequences if the offence is not compounded; Part III is the application to be filed by the accused |
| Notice number | A continuous unique number with alphabets or numerals and details such as officer, year, place and type of inspection |
| Response | Accused sends Part III and deposits the compounding amount within fifteen days of receipt of the notice, in the account named in the notice |
| After prosecution has started | The accused applies to the Court, which may allow composition by the compounding officer under section 89 |
| Effect | If compounded before prosecution, no complaint is instituted; if after, the compounding officer intimates the Court, which discharges the accused and closes the prosecution |
| Control | The officer acts under the direction, control and supervision of the State Government |
The rule does not print a rupee amount; the amount is stated in Part I of the notice, and the Code's compounding provisions govern it.
Protected workers (rule 57)
Every registered trade union connected with an establishment to which the Code applies communicates to the employer, before the 30th April every year, the names and addresses of union officers employed in that establishment who, in the union's opinion, should be recognised as protected workers. A change in the incumbency of any such officer is communicated within fifteen days of the change.
The employer, subject to section 90(3) and (4), recognises them and sends the union in writing, within fifteen days of receiving the names, the list of workers recognised as protected workers for twelve months from the date of that communication. If the names exceed the maximum number the Code permits, only that maximum is recognised; with more than one registered union the maximum is distributed so that each union's number bears practically the same proportion as its membership, and the employer informs the President or Secretary of each union in writing of its allotted number. Where the allotted number falls short of the officers seeking protection, the union selects and tells the employer within five days of the employer's letter. A dispute goes to the authorised Labour Department officer, whose decision is final. The Central rule is explained in protected workers.
Other miscellaneous rules (rules 58 to 64)
- Complaint by an aggrieved worker (58). A complaint under section 91 is made electronically or by registered or speed post in Form-XX, with as many copies as there are opposite parties, and verified by the worker or an authorised representative.
- Representation (59 and 60). A worker who is not a union member may authorise, in Form-X, a union executive member or office bearer, or another worker in the industry, to represent him; an employer who is not a member of an employers' association may similarly authorise an officer of an association or another employer in Form-X.
- Labour Bureau copies (61). Forms XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII and XIX are shared electronically with the Director General, Labour Bureau, in auto-mode.
- Communication (62). The State Government, the Tribunal, every employer for which the State Government is the appropriate Government, every trade union, negotiating union or council constituent and every authority named in the rules specify their email id, website or portal on their letter-heads.
- Records (63). All records, registers, forms, notices and display boards required under the Code and the rules are also maintained electronically in the required format, comply with retention requirements and are produced to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator or the authority concerned.
- Repeal and savings (64). The Rajasthan Industrial Disputes Rules, 1958, the Rajasthan Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1963 and the Rajasthan Trade Union Regulation Rules, 1959 are repealed from commencement, with savings for rights, liabilities, proceedings and the General Clauses Act, 1897.
List of Forms
| Form | Rule | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| I | 3, 42, 43 | Memorandum of settlement |
| II | 8 | Application for registration of trade union |
| III | 9 | Register of trade unions |
| IV | 10 | Certificate of registration of trade union |
| V | 19 | Notice of dissolution or amendment in rules of a trade union |
| VI | 21, 24 | Annual return of a registered trade union |
| VII | 26(1) | Application for recognition as State level trade union |
| VIII | 36 | Notice of change of service conditions proposed by an employer |
| IX | 37 | Agreement for voluntary arbitration |
| X | 39, 59, 60 | Authorisation to be represented in a proceeding |
| XI | 40, 41 | Oath of office for Judicial or Administrative Member |
| XII | 42 | Application to the Tribunal where the Conciliation Officer has not settled the matter |
| XIII | 43 | Registration of settlement |
| XIV | 43 | Certificate of registration |
| XV | 44 | Notice of strike |
| XVI | 45 | Notice of lock-out |
| XVII | 46, 48 | Notice of intimation of retrenchment or closure to the State Government |
| XVIII | 49, 51, 53 | Application for permission of lay-off, continuation, retrenchment or closure |
| XIX | 56 | Notice for compounding of an offence |
| XX | 58 | Complaint under section 91 |
Rule 17(8) refers to Form-II for an application to the Tribunal in a union dispute, although Form-II as printed is the union registration application. Check the Gazette for the intended Form before filing such an application.
A worked example
Pink City Packaging receives a Form-XIX notice from the compounding officer for a first-time offence. Its owner, Rakesh, completes Part III, deposits the amount stated in Part I into the named account and sends both within fifteen days of receipt. Because compounding happened before prosecution, no complaint is instituted. Separately, the company's union writes in April naming three protected-worker officers; HR replies within fifteen days with the twelve-month list.
Common lapses
- Missing the fifteen-day window after a Form-XIX notice.
- Not replying to the union's protected-worker list within fifteen days.
- Ignoring the 30 April date, or the fifteen-day change reporting duty on the union side.
- Keeping paper-only records when rule 63 also asks for electronic records.
- Not sending copies of Forms XV to XIX for sharing with the Labour Bureau where the rule applies.
Need help with compounding or complaints?
If a Form-XIX notice, a section 91 complaint or a protected-worker dispute needs a response, our legal dispute resolution team can review the papers against the printed forms. Bring the notice, the inspection details and any union correspondence.
Key takeaways
- Compounding starts with a three-part Form-XIX notice; reply and deposit within fifteen days.
- Unions name protected workers before 30 April each year; the employer answers within fifteen days.
- Recognition as a protected worker is for twelve months from the employer's communication.
- Forms XV to XIX are shared with the Labour Bureau in auto-mode.
- Three older Rajasthan rule sets are repealed by rule 64.
Read next
- Rajasthan Industrial Relation Rules: trade union registration, returns and negotiating union
- Rajasthan Industrial Relation Rules: strike, lock-out, lay-off, retrenchment, closure and re-skilling fund
- Central IR Rules: Forms 14, 15 and 16
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.