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GS3 · Labour reforms

Four Labour Codes come into force

1 min readEmployment & Inclusive GrowthGovernance
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Four Labour Codes come into force (GS3 · Labour reforms, 21 November 2025)

What happened

  • The Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the OSH Code, 2020 were made effective from 21 November 2025, replacing 29 labour laws [PIB].

Background

  • “Welfare of labour” is Entry 24 of the Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule) [Constitution].

Why it matters

  • Supporters cite simpler compliance and social security for gig workers; unions object to easier lay-off and strike rules. Know both sides.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Inclusive growth and employment

  1. As per PIB (2025-11-21): the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the OSH Code, 2020 were made effective from 21 November 2025, replacing 29 labour laws.
  2. Supporters cite simpler compliance and social security for gig workers; unions object to easier lay-off and strike rules. Know both sides.
Quotable data point

The Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the OSH Code, 2020 were made effective from 21 November 2025, replacing 29 labour laws.

PIB: Labour: Four Labour Codes made effective, 21 Nov 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: names of the four codes. · Mains: labour reform.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

How many laws did the four codes replace?

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Date the codes became effective

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Welfare of labour is in which list?

Answer (c) & explanation

Source: Constitution of India (Legislative Dept).

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Official source: PIB: Labour: Four Labour Codes made effective, 21 Nov 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending