India: Health & Safety

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (“DGCA”) has introduced a significant reform to India’s aviation safety oversight framework through General Safety Circular No. 01 of 2025 dated 19 June 2025 (the “Circular”)...

The June 2026 edition of our Employment Law Newsletter covers significant regulatory developments and key judicial pronouncements across India's evolving labour and employment law landscape. During the month, the Central Government and several State Governments introduced important reforms aimed at balancing ease of compliance with enhanced worker protection.

India's four Labour Codes mark the extensive reform and compilation of the nation’s labour laws in 70 years.

In a significant step toward strengthening workplace safety and institutional accountability, the Government of Nagaland has formally notified a Secretariat-level Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

In December 2025, a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury delivered a significant judgment in Airports Authority of India & Ors. vs Praveen VS[1] (WA No. 149 of 2025). The Court clarified the scope of Section 10(4) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), holding that conciliation under the Act bars only further inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) or Local Committee, and does not preclude an employer from initiating independent disciplinary proceedings under applicable Service Rules if circumstances so warrant.

India’s labour law framework has undergone significant transformation with the introduction of the new labour codes having been brought into force effective 21 November 2025 and relevant Rules from May 08, 2026.

Constructive exits are an increasingly significant concern in the Indian employment context. The judiciary has taken a stricter approach while deciding an issue pertaining to exit which is, in substance, dismissals dressed up as resignation.

In a notable development, the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh has passed the Uttar Pradesh Dookan Aur Vanijya Adhishthan (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam Bill, 2025 (Bill).

"Being a victim of such a deplorable act not only dents the esteem of a woman but also takes a toll on her emotional, mental, and physical health."