Central Government has notified the Model Standing Orders, 2026 under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The notification supersedes the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946 in relation to model standing orders, except for actions already taken under the earlier rules. The Model Standing Orders apply to mining, manufacturing, and service sector industrial establishments.

• Model Standing Orders, 2026 made effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
• Separate model standing orders prescribed for mining, manufacturing, and service sectors under Schedules A, B and C.
• Classification of workers includes permanent, temporary, apprentice, probationer, badli, fixed-term employment and casual workers.
• Provisions introduced relating to identity cards, attendance systems, publication of working hours, leave procedures, wage payment, service records, retirement age and transfer policy.
• Detailed provisions prescribed for misconduct, disciplinary action, suspension, appeals and inquiry procedures.
• Confidentiality obligations and restrictions on disclosure of industrial establishment information prescribed for workers.
• Sexual harassment included within the scope of misconduct with reference to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.