This edition of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (No. 35 of 2020, dated 29-9-2020), updated with all relevant amendments, notifications, and enforcement provisions up to 2026, serves as a comprehensive and authoritative legal reference for law students, legal practitioners, HR professionals, industrial establishments, compliance officers, trade unions, and academicians. The book presents the bare text of the law with short comments, making it suitable for legal study, examination preparation, industrial relations practice, and statutory compliance.

This publication incorporates the latest updates under The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, including the enforcement notification effective from 21-11-2025, amendments introduced through the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the Industrial Relations Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2025. It consolidates and modernizes India’s labour law framework relating to trade unions, standing orders, and industrial disputes.

The Code replaces the following legislations:

• The Trade Unions Act, 1926
• The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
• The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

This edition also includes:

• The Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026
• The Model Standing Orders, 2026
• Comparative tables showing corresponding sections of the Code with the repealed Acts
• Latest notifications and enforcement updates up to 2026
• Short comments for practical understanding and reference

The content comprehensively covers:

• Definitions and applicability of the Code
• Registration, recognition, and rights of trade unions
• Negotiating unions and negotiating councils
• Conditions relating to standing orders and service rules
• Classification of workers and employment conditions
• Mechanisms for conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication of industrial disputes
• Provisions relating to strikes, lock-outs, lay-offs, retrenchment, and closure
• Worker re-skilling and compensation framework
• Duties and powers of industrial tribunals and authorities
• Penalties, offences, and compliance obligations
• Procedures for grievance redressal and dispute settlement

This edition is particularly suitable for:

• Advocates and labour law practitioners handling employment and industrial disputes
• HR managers, industrial relations specialists, and compliance professionals
• Employers, factories, establishments, and corporate legal departments
• Trade unions, labour welfare officers, and policy researchers

Whether used for courtroom reference, academic learning, industrial compliance, or competitive examinations, this updated Bare Act edition delivers the complete legislative framework of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, as applicable in 2026.