March 17, 2026
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The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) has been progressively releasing official clarifications on India’s four Labour Codes — the Code on Wages, 2019; the Code on Social Security, 2020; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH&WC). These Codes came into effect on 21 November 2025, consolidating and replacing 29 central labour laws.
As employers, HR professionals, legal practitioners, and workers navigate the transition to the new framework, several interpretational questions have emerged around key provisions — from wage definitions and gratuity calculations to overtime entitlements, leave encashment, and welfare facilities for contract workers.
The FAQs compiled here represent the latest official clarifications issued by MoLE, updated as of March 2026. They are intended to provide quick and accessible guidance on frequently misunderstood provisions across the Labour Codes. Readers are advised that these clarifications are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal documents — in case of any variance, the text of the relevant Labour Code shall prevail.