Rule 10 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 10 does two things. It says which Model Standing Orders apply to mines, manufacturing and services, and it sets the steps an employer follows to tell the certifying officer that it has adopted them. Silence from the certifying officer for thirty days has a legal effect: the adopted orders are treated as certified.
For industrial establishments in the mine, manufacturing and service sectors, the Model Standing Orders are those set out in the Model Standing Orders, 2026. An employer that adopts them must inform the certifying officer of the specific date of adoption electronically, in person or by speed post. If the certifying officer makes no observation within thirty days, the Model Standing Orders are deemed certified. The adopted orders apply to the establishment and all its units. These Rules apply to Central-sphere establishments; where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own rules apply.
Where rule 10 fits in the Code
Section 29(1) of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 directs the Central Government to make model standing orders on conditions of service and incidental matters. Under section 30(3), an employer that adopts those model orders for matters relevant to its establishment is treated as having its standing orders certified, and must forward information to the certifying officer "in such manner as may be prescribed". The proviso lets the certifying officer direct amendment of the adopted orders within a prescribed period. Rule 10 is that prescription. For the section itself, read sections 28 and 29 and section 30.
The rule has a first part, which names the Model Standing Orders, and a second part headed "Forwarding of information to certifying officer". In the gazette text the second part is not given its own rule number; it sits under rule 10 and is cited here as rule 10 sub-rules (1) to (7).
If you are working out how this fits into your HR policy set, our labour law compliance team can map the Model Standing Orders against your own service rules and tell you what needs to change.
The sub-rules at a glance
| Sub-rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Opening part | Model Standing Orders for mine, manufacturing and service sector establishments are those set out under the Model Standing Orders, 2026 |
| (1) | Employer adopting the Model Standing Orders informs the certifying officer electronically, in person or by speed post of the specific date from which the provisions are adopted |
| (2) | The adopted orders apply to the industrial establishment and all its units |
| (3) | The certifying officer enters the establishment's details in the register specified in rule 17 |
| (4) | If the establishment does other activities than those for which the orders were adopted, the certifying officer may, within thirty days of receipt, direct the employer to include relevant provisions |
| (5) | No observation within thirty days of receipt: the Model Standing Orders are deemed certified |
| (6) | The adopted provisions take effect from the date specified in sub-rule (1) |
| (7) | No observation where the establishment's activities are wholly covered by the activities of the establishment to which the standing orders apply |
Step by step: adopting the Model Standing Orders
- Decide to adopt for the matters relevant to your establishment (section 30(3) speaks of matters "relevant to his industrial establishment or undertaking").
- Fix the date from which the provisions apply. Rule 10(6) makes that date the effective date.
- Send the information to the concerned certifying officer by email or other electronic means, in person, or by speed post. Keep proof of dispatch, because the thirty-day period in sub-rule (5) runs from the certifying officer's receipt.
- Watch for a direction. Within thirty days the certifying officer may indicate provisions the establishment should add because of its other activities.
- Comply and report. Under sub-rule (4) the employer has thirty days from receipt of the direction to include the provisions and send a compliance report, and that report covers only the provisions the certifying officer directed.
- Display and keep the text as rule 16 requires. See rules 15 and 16.
The thirty-day window and deemed certification
The window cuts both ways. If the certifying officer stays silent, sub-rule (5) says the orders are deemed certified, and sub-rule (6) says they operate from the date the employer named. If the officer does make an observation in time, the employer must amend as directed and report back, and the direction is limited to the provisions identified.
Rule 12 adds that authentication by the certifying officer is not required where standing orders are deemed certified under section 30(3) or where the employer has certified adoption of the Model Standing Orders. See rules 11 and 12.
Multi-activity employers
Sub-rule (4) is aimed at an employer whose activities are wider than the ones the adopted orders are written for. Sub-rule (7) protects the opposite case: where the establishment's activities are wholly covered by those of the establishment to which the standing orders apply, the certifying officer must not raise an observation. The text does not define "wholly covered" any further, so keep a note of why you think your activities fall inside the coverage.
Example. A manufacturing company in a Central-sphere establishment with two plants decides to adopt the Model Standing Orders, 2026 from 1 April. It emails the certifying officer on 10 March stating 1 April as the date of adoption. Under sub-rule (2), the orders apply to both plants. The certifying officer makes no observation within thirty days of receiving the email. Under sub-rule (5) the orders are deemed certified, and they apply from 1 April, the date the company specified. The company then enters the adoption in its own records and displays the orders as rule 16(3) requires.
What this source does not tell you
The text of the Model Standing Orders, 2026 itself is not part of the Rules we have used here; rule 10 only refers to it. Read the orders themselves, and the First Schedule matters in Schedule 1, before you adopt them. The Code takes effect from 21 November 2025, when the four Labour Codes were brought into force; some provisions may be notified later.
Need help with adopting Model Standing Orders?
Adoption looks simple on paper, but the date, the notice to the certifying officer and any follow-up direction all need to be recorded properly. Our labour law compliance team can check whether the Model Standing Orders fit your establishment, draft the intimation and keep the thirty-day timeline on your calendar.
Key takeaways
- Model Standing Orders, 2026 apply to mine, manufacturing and service sector establishments.
- The employer informs the certifying officer of the specific date of adoption, electronically, in person or by speed post.
- No observation in thirty days means deemed certification; adopted provisions run from the date in the intimation.
- The certifying officer may direct added provisions within thirty days; compliance report follows within thirty days of the direction.
- The certifying officer enters the establishment in the rule 17 register.
Read next
- Sections 28 and 29: application of standing orders and Model Standing Orders
- Section 30: preparation and certification of draft standing orders
- Rules 11 and 12: worker representatives and authentication
- Rules 17 and 18: register of standing orders and modification
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.