The Four Labour Codes
Status, Central Rules and Maharashtra rules — with sources and verification dates.
India has consolidated 29 central labour laws into four Labour Codes. The Government made all four Codes effective from 21 November 2025, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified Central Rules under them in May 2026.
The Codes are only part of the picture. For many private establishments, the State Government is the appropriate Government, so the state rules decide forms, registers, fees and procedures. Until a state's rules are finalised, transitional and saving provisions determine which existing rules continue.
Maharashtra status (as last verified): draft rules under all four Codes were published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette between 28 April and 5 May 2026 for objections. We have not found final notification of these rules. We treat them as drafts and do not describe them as in force.
Status at a glance
| Item | Central | Maharashtra |
|---|---|---|
| Four Labour Codes | In force from 21 Nov 2025 | Codes apply; state rules pending |
| Rules under the Codes | Central Rules notified 8–9 May 2026 | Draft rules published 28 Apr – 5 May 2026 |
| Earlier rules and schemes | Continue to the extent provided by the transitional and saving provisions of each Code — check the specific provision and any later notification. | |
VerificationStatus is maintained by our team and dated on each update. Always read the original notification before acting.
The four Codes
Code on Wages, 2019
Minimum wages, payment of wages, bonus and equal remuneration in one Code, with a uniform definition of "wages" and a national floor wage.
- Central Rules notified under the four Labour Codes (May 2026) In Force
- Maharashtra publishes draft rules under all four Labour Codes (April–May 2026) Draft
- Four Labour Codes made effective from 21 November 2025 In Force
Industrial Relations Code, 2020
Trade unions, standing orders, grievance redressal, strikes and lock-outs, lay-off, retrenchment and closure, and the worker re-skilling fund.
- Central Rules notified under the four Labour Codes (May 2026) In Force
- Maharashtra publishes draft rules under all four Labour Codes (April–May 2026) Draft
- Four Labour Codes made effective from 21 November 2025 In Force
Code on Social Security, 2020
Provident fund, ESI, gratuity, maternity benefit, employees' compensation, building workers' cess and social security for gig, platform and unorganised workers.
- Central Rules notified under the four Labour Codes (May 2026) In Force
- Maharashtra publishes draft rules under all four Labour Codes (April–May 2026) Draft
- Four Labour Codes made effective from 21 November 2025 In Force
- Code on Social Security: transition of existing EPF and ESI schemes Verification Required
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
Registration, licensing, working conditions, health and safety, and special provisions for factories, mines, contract labour, inter-state migrant workers and construction.
- Central Rules notified under the four Labour Codes (May 2026) In Force
- Maharashtra publishes draft rules under all four Labour Codes (April–May 2026) Draft
- Four Labour Codes made effective from 21 November 2025 In Force