This edition of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (No. 35 of 2020, dated 28-9-2020), published by Commercial Law Publishers (India) Pvt. Ltd., presents the updated bare text of the Code with short comments. The edition reflects the enforcement of the Code with effect from 21-11-2025 vide S.O. 5320(E), dated 21-11-2025, and incorporates amendments made by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026, the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the Industrial Relations Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2025, as amended by the relevant notification dated 2-2-2026.

The Code consolidates and replaces three major labour laws:

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

Along with the principal Code, this edition includes:

• The Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 [G.S.R. 342(E), dated 8-5-2026, w.e.f. 8-5-2026]
• The Model Standing Orders, 2026 [G.S.R. 2312(E), dated 8-5-2026, w.e.f. 8-5-2026]
• Comparative tables showing corresponding sections of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the earlier labour enactments
• Latest notifications relating to the Code and its implementation
• Short comments accompanying the statutory provisions

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 provides the legislative framework governing trade unions, standing orders, industrial disputes, strikes and lock-outs, lay-offs, retrenchment, closure, worker re-skilling, dispute-resolution mechanisms, industrial tribunals, and other matters relating to industrial relations and employment conditions.

This edition is particularly suitable for law students, advocates, labour-law practitioners, trade union representatives, human-resource professionals, employers, corporate compliance officers, academicians, and candidates preparing for professional and competitive examinations. By bringing together the current statutory text, rules, model standing orders, comparative tables, and latest notifications, it serves as a practical reference for understanding and applying India's contemporary industrial-relations framework.