India’s four key labour codes will come into full effect from April 1, 2026, the government confirmed. Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya spoke at CII IndiaEdge 2025 in New Delhi on December 3, 2025, announcing that draft rules under the four codes would be pre-published soon for public feedback. These codes — Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) — were first notified on November 21, 2025. For laws to work fully, rules must be notified by both Central and State governments. The draft rules will be open for public comments for 45 days before final notification. Through these codes, India replaces 29 fragmented labour laws with a single modern framework. The Minister clarified that the daily working hours remain 8, with overtime as an option, aligning with international standards. Social security coverage is a top goal, with plans to protect 100 crore workers by March 2026, rising from 94 crore currently. Coverage has already grown from 19% in 2015 to 64% in 2025. The new framework will ensure workers get mandatory appointment letters, free health checks for those aged 40 and above, and guarantees of equal pay and opportunities for women across shifts. These reforms aim to broaden worker protection and make doing business easier nationwide.