The Government of India on 21 November 2025 notified the coming into force of the four Labour Codes — the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 — rationalising 29 existing Central labour laws. According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment release posted by PIB Delhi at 3:00 PM, the reform is the largest overhaul of India's labour legal framework since the 1930s-1950s statutes and operationalises the principle of Aatmanirbhar Bharat for workers and enterprises alike. Key changes include mandatory appointment letters for every worker to ensure transparency and job security; statutory minimum wages extended to all workers across all sectors; extension of social security coverage under the Code on Social Security to gig and platform workers including Aadhaar-linked Universal Account Numbers; mandatory free annual health check-ups for workers above 40 years; and permission for women to work at night and in all occupations subject to consent and safety measures. Fixed-Term Employees gain gratuity eligibility after one year of service instead of five. Aggregators must contribute 1 to 2 percent of annual turnover, capped at 5 percent of amounts paid to gig and platform workers, funding welfare benefits. ESIC coverage is now pan-India and made mandatory for establishments with even one employee in hazardous processes. Compliance is simplified with a single registration, single pan-India licence and single return replacing multi-statute obligations, lowering the compliance burden on industry.
Four Labour Codes Come Into Force from 21 November 2025, Rationalising 29 Central Labour Laws
The four Labour Codes came into force on 21 November 2025, replacing 29 Central labour laws. They mandate appointment letters, universal minimum wages, gig worker social security, pan-India ESIC coverage and simplified single-return compliance, reshaping India's labour ecosystem.
Key facts
- Four Labour Codes came into force from 21 November 2025, rationalising 29 Central laws
- Mandatory appointment letters and universal statutory minimum wages
- Gig and platform workers get social security with Aadhaar-linked UAN
- Aggregators must contribute 1 to 2 percent of turnover (capped at 5 percent of gig worker pay)
- Women permitted night work and all occupations with consent and safety
- Fixed-term employees gratuity after 1 year; single-return pan-India compliance
Mains angle
Q: Critically examine the four Labour Codes operationalised on 21 November 2025, evaluating their impact on workers, gig economy, and India's compliance ecosystem.
Answer (50 words):
India operationalised four Labour Codes on 21 November 2025, replacing 29 Central laws. Reforms mandate appointment letters, universal minimum wages, pan-India ESIC. Gig and platform workers gain Aadhaar-linked UAN social security, funded by aggregator contributions of 1-2% of turnover capped at 5%. Fixed-Term Employees earn gratuity after one year; compliance burden eases.
Static prep for this topic
Read the permanent syllabus behind this story.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
How many existing Central labour laws were consolidated by the four Labour Codes that came into force on 21 November 2025?
The Ministry of Labour and Employment release of 21 November 2025 states that the four Labour Codes — on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations (2020), Social Security (2020) and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (2020) — rationalise 29 existing Central labour laws.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
Which four Labour Codes came into force on 21 November 2025?
The Code on Wages 2019, the Industrial Relations Code 2020, the Code on Social Security 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 all came into force on 21 November 2025, rationalising 29 existing Central labour laws.
How are gig and platform workers covered under the new Codes?
For the first time the Codes statutorily define gig work, platform work and aggregators. Aggregators must contribute 1-2 percent of annual turnover (capped at 5 percent of payments to workers) to fund social security, delivered through Aadhaar-linked Universal Account Numbers.
What changes for women workers under the Labour Codes?
Women are permitted to work at night and in all types of work across all establishments, subject to their consent and required safety measures, enabling access to higher-paying roles previously restricted to men.
How is compliance simplified for industry?
Multiple registrations, licences and returns under various labour laws are replaced with a single registration, a pan-India single licence and a single return, substantially reducing the compliance burden for employers.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback