Rules 33 to 37 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.
Rules 33 to 37 are the working procedure of the Central Advisory Board: how many members must be present, how decisions are taken, how voting is done, what happens to the minutes, and the Chairperson's power to call witnesses. They are mostly mechanical, but each contains a number that matters: one-third for quorum, seven days for an adjournment, two-thirds for a decision by circulation. If you advise a body whose representative sits on the Board, a legal consultation can walk you through them.
Quorum (rule 33): at least one-third of the members and at least one representative member each of the employers and the employees; if fewer than one-third are present, the Chairperson may adjourn to a date not later than seven days later, when business can be disposed of whatever the number present. Decisions (rule 34): by majority of votes of members present and voting, with the Chairperson's casting vote on a tie; a matter may be decided by circulation only if supported by not less than two-thirds of the members. Voting (rule 35): by show of hands, or secret ballot if a member asks or the Chairperson decides. Proceedings (rule 36) go to every member and the Central Government not less than seven days before the next meeting. Witnesses (rule 37): the Chairperson may summon any person and require documents. The Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government; otherwise the State's own wage rules apply.
Rule 33: quorum
"No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless at least one-third of the members and at least one representative member each of both the employers and the employee are present."
Two conditions, both required:
- at least one-third of the members; and
- at least one employer representative and one employee representative (the text reads "each of both the employers and the employee").
First proviso: if less than one-third of the members are present, the Chairperson may adjourn the meeting to a date not later than seven days from the original date, and it is then "lawful to dispose of the business at such adjourned meeting irrespective of the number of members present". Second proviso: the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting must be intimated to the members.
What the text leaves open. The adjournment proviso covers the case where fewer than one-third are present. It does not say what happens when one-third are present but no employer or no employee representative attends. Read literally, the "irrespective of the number" language is tied to the adjourned meeting, and the proviso is silent on the second condition. The text also does not say whether the adjourned meeting needs fresh fifteen-day notice under rule 31; the second proviso asks only for intimation.
Rule 34: disposal of business
All business "shall be considered at the meeting of the Board and shall be decided by a majority of the votes of members present and voting", and if votes are equal, "the Chairperson shall have a casting vote".
By circulation. The Chairperson "may, if he thinks fit, direct that any matter shall be decided by the circulation of necessary papers and by securing written opinion of the members". But "no decision on any matter under the preceding proviso shall be taken, unless supported by not less than two-thirds majority of the members".
| Mode | Threshold |
|---|---|
| At a meeting | majority of members present and voting; Chairperson's casting vote if equal |
| By circulation | not less than two-thirds majority "of the members" |
The two-thirds is expressed against "the members", not "members present and voting", so it appears to be measured against the full membership. The text does not say so in terms, so the point is open.
Rule 35: method of voting
Voting "shall ordinarily be by show of hands, but if any member asks for voting by ballot or if the Chairperson so decides, the voting shall be by secret ballot and held in the manner as the Chairperson may decide." This sits alongside rule 32(iii), which speaks of the Chairperson conducting and counting "secret voting". Rule 35 is the specific rule on method. See rules 29 to 32.
Rule 36: proceedings of meetings
- The proceedings of each meeting, "showing inter alia the names of the members present", are forwarded to each member and to the Central Government as soon after the meeting as possible and "in any case, not less than seven days before the next meeting".
- The proceedings are confirmed, with any necessary modification, at the next meeting.
The "not less than seven days before the next meeting" wording is the outer limit; it does not set a time within which the minutes must go out after a meeting. If the next meeting is called on seven days' emergent notice under rule 31, the two periods leave no room.
Rule 37: witnesses and documents
- The Chairperson "may summon any person to appear as a witness if required in the course of the discharge of his duty and require any person to produce any document".
- A person who is summoned and appears as a witness "shall be entitled to an allowance for expenses incurred in accordance with the scale for the time being in force for payment of such allowance to witnesses appearing before a civil court".
The rule gives no penalty for non-appearance and no process for enforcing the summons. Section 42 does not give the Board the powers of a civil court; compare section 45(7), which does so for the claims authority and the appellate authority. See section 42.
At a glance
| Rule | Subject | Key figure or step |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Quorum | one-third of members, plus one employer and one employee representative; adjournment within seven days |
| 34 | Decisions | majority of present and voting; casting vote; circulation needs two-thirds |
| 35 | Voting | show of hands; secret ballot on request or Chairperson's decision |
| 36 | Proceedings | to members and Central Government; confirmed at next meeting |
| 37 | Witnesses | summons and documents; civil-court scale allowance |
Need help engaging with the Board's process?
Where a proposal is referred to the Board, how a decision is reached can matter as much as its content. Our legal consultation team can explain quorum, voting and circulation steps and prepare an employer or employee body to take part.
Key takeaways
- Quorum is one-third of the members with at least one employer and one employee representative (rule 33).
- An adjourned meeting can proceed irrespective of numbers if held within seven days.
- Decisions are by majority of those present and voting; the Chairperson has a casting vote.
- Decisions by circulation need not less than two-thirds support.
- Voting is by show of hands, or secret ballot on request or the Chairperson's decision.
- Proceedings go to members and the Central Government and are confirmed at the next meeting.
- Witnesses get a civil-court-scale allowance.
Read next
- Rules 29 to 32: Central Advisory Board, constitution and meetings
- Rules 38 to 44: Board members, term, allowances and disqualification
- Section 42: Central and State Advisory Boards
- Section 45: claims and procedure
Disclaimer: Based on the Code on Wages, 2019 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 343(E), 8 May 2026), as on 1 October 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government, and wage rates are notified separately. Verify the current position before acting.