Rules 1 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.
Rule 1 gives the Rules their name and says they come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. Rule 2 defines four terms: "Code", "electronically", "Form" and "section", and says undefined words take their meaning from the Code. The notification, G.S.R. 342(E) dated 8 May 2026, also supersedes parts of two older sets of Central rules.
The Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 were notified by G.S.R. 342(E) on 8 May 2026, after a draft of 30 December 2025 (G.S.R. 930(E)), under section 99 of the Code. They come into force on publication in the Official Gazette (rule 1(2)). They supersede the Industrial Disputes (Central) Rules, 1957 (so far as they relate to Part II and Parts V to VIII) and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946 (so far as they relate to these rules), except things done before. "Electronically" means email, uploading on the official portal, or digital payment in any mode (rule 2(1)(b)).
Rules 1 and 2 at a glance
| Provision | What it says |
|---|---|
| Preamble | Made under s.99 of the Code after draft G.S.R. 930(E) of 30 Dec 2025; supersedes parts of the 1957 and 1946 Central rules |
| Rule 1(1) | Short title: the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 |
| Rule 1(2) | Force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette |
| Rule 2(1)(a) | "Code" means the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (35 of 2020) |
| Rule 2(1)(b) | "Electronically" means email, uploading on the official portal or digital payment in any mode |
| Rule 2(1)(c) | "Form" means the forms in the Schedule to the Rules |
| Rule 2(1)(d) | "Section" means a section of the Code |
| Rule 2(2) | Words not defined in the Rules but defined in the Code carry the Code's meaning |
Who the Rules apply to
The Rules are "Central" Rules, made by the Central Government under s.99 (see section 99). They apply to establishments for which the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own industrial relations rules apply (see section 2 on the appropriate Government). An employer with units in more than one sphere therefore works with more than one rule book. Our labour law compliance team can help you identify which Rules govern each unit.
The preamble: what was superseded
The notification is made "in supersession of" two sets of rules:
- the Industrial Disputes (Central) Rules, 1957, "in so far as they relate to Part II and Parts V to VIII"; and
- the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946, "in so far as they relate to these rules",
"except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession". Two limits follow from the wording. Only the named Parts of the 1957 rules are superseded, and the 1946 rules only so far as they relate to the new Rules. Things done before remain protected. The Code itself deals with the old Acts in s.104: the notification under s.1(3) may specify that the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 stand repealed from a date, and the remaining provisions stay until repealed by like notifications (see sections 1 and 104).
The preamble also records the process: the draft was published on 30 December 2025 inviting objections and suggestions within thirty days, and the objections and suggestions received were "duly considered by the Central Government". That matches the previous-publication condition in s.99(1).
Rule 1: title and commencement
Rule 1(1) gives the title. Rule 1(2) says the Rules "shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette". There is no later commencement date. The Rules are therefore in force from publication of G.S.R. 342(E), dated 8 May 2026. The Code itself is in force from 21 November 2025, when the four Labour Codes were brought into force; some of its provisions may be notified later.
Rule 2: definitions
"Electronically" matters most
Rule 2(1)(b) defines "electronically" to mean "any information submitted by email or uploading on the official portal or digital payment in any mode for the purposes of the Code". Many later rules say a notice, an application or a copy may be sent "electronically". This definition tells you what counts: an email, an upload to the official portal, or a digital payment. It is wider than "online form" and includes email alone. Speed post and in-person delivery are separate options where a rule mentions them.
"Form" and "Code"
"Form" means the forms "set forth in the Schedule to these rules". The Schedule carries Forms I to XVI. "Code" means the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (35 of 2020). "Section" means a section of the Code, so a reference in the Rules to "section 14" is to section 14 of the Code.
Borrowed definitions: rule 2(2)
Words used but not defined in the Rules "but are defined in the Code" have the meanings given in the Code. So terms such as worker, employer and appropriate Government are read from section 2 of the Code (see the articles on definitions of employer, worker and fixed term employment and trade union, settlement and other terms).
Practical example
Example (invented). An employer files a settlement copy by email to the concerned Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central). Because "electronically" includes email, a rule that allows a copy to be sent "electronically or by speed post" is satisfied by the email. The employer keeps the sent mail as proof. A State-sphere unit of the same employer follows the State's rules instead.
Need help applying the Central Rules to your establishment?
The Rules replace procedures many employers learned under the 1957 and 1946 rules, and their Forms and time limits are new. Our labour law compliance team can help you map each rule and Form to the filings and notices your establishment needs.
Key takeaways
- The Rules were notified by G.S.R. 342(E) on 8 May 2026 and come into force on Gazette publication.
- They are made under s.99 of the Code, after a draft of 30 December 2025.
- They supersede parts of the 1957 and 1946 Central rules, except things done earlier.
- "Electronically" includes email, portal upload and digital payment in any mode.
- "Form" means the Forms in the Schedule; undefined words take the Code's meaning.
- Central-sphere establishments follow the Central Rules; State-sphere establishments follow State rules.
Read next
- Rule 3: references to authorities and employer of industrial establishments
- Section 99: power to make rules
- Section 1 and 104: commencement and repeal of three Acts
- 4 New Labour Codes 2020: complete guide to India's labour law reform
Disclaimer: Based on the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 342(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.