Centre Targets Full Implementation Of Labour Codes By April 2026, Fresh Draft Rules Coming Soon

India’s long-pending labour reforms are moving into their final phase, with the Centre indicating that all four labour codes could come into force from 1 April 2026.

The Labour and Employment Ministry has begun the groundwork for notifying the rules that will operationalise the new framework, reported PTI.

The four codes — the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020) and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020, were officially notified on 21 November, but have yet to be implemented because the corresponding rules must be published and finalised by both the Centre and the states.

Speaking at the CII IndiaEdge 2025 event, Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the draft rules would be pre-published shortly.

He noted that the earlier drafts issued by the Centre and states were now outdated, adding that a fresh round was necessary in sync with present times.

A senior official explained that once the draft rules are issued, the government will allow 45 days for public comments before sealing the final version. The intention, he said, is to align enforcement with the start of the new financial year.

He added that the codes introduce the option of overtime, describing it as an internationally accepted provision.

The minister also underlined the government’s target of extending social security coverage to 100 crore workers by March 2026, up from the current 94 crore, noting its significant rise from just 19 per cent in 2015 to over 64 per cent in 2025.

Once enforced nationwide, the labour codes are expected to streamline compliance, enhance worker protection, promote ease of doing business and unify 29 existing laws into a modern, simplified regulatory structure.

Among key features are mandatory appointment letters, free annual health check-ups for workers aged 40+, and stronger guarantees on equal pay and opportunities for women.

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