Govt Seeks Views On Draft OSHWC Rules 2025

Notification G.S.R. 934(E); Dated: 30-12-2025

The Central Government has notified the draft Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2025. The draft rules are proposed in supersession of multiple existing central rules relating to employees’ safety, health and welfare. Objections or suggestions may be submitted within 45 days from publication in the Official Gazette. Govt. Releases the Draft Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2025

The key highlights of the draft Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2025 are as follows:

(a) Supersession of multiple legacy labour rules: The draft Rules propose to consolidate and supersede 13 existing Central Rules framed under laws relating to factories, mines, contract labour, construction workers, dock workers, working journalists, cine-workers, and sales promotion employees, ensuring a unified compliance framework.

(b) Mandatory electronic registration on Shram Suvidha Portal: under draft rules, the Employers must apply for registration electronically in Form I, with auto-generation of the registration certificate if not issued within 7 days. Existing establishments are required to update particulars within six months.

(c) Deemed registration and cancellation safeguards: If an application for registration is submitted but the authority does not communicate approval or rejection within the prescribed period, the registration shall be deemed to have been granted. Once issued, registration may be cancelled only on grounds of fraud, false information, or non-compliance, and cancellation may be effected only after allowing the employer to be heard. Additionally, employers are required to notify the registering authority of any change in ownership, management, or key particulars within 30 days of such change, failing which penalties and compliance actions may follow.

(d) Enhanced employer obligations on health and safety: It shall be the duty of the Safety Officer in a mine to assist the manager in any other matter relating to safety in the mine; and ensure that an appropriate emergency plan as required under these regulations is put in place and the requirements of the same are implemented.

(e) Compulsory appointment letters: Issuance of appointment letters with detailed employment particulars is mandated for all employees, strengthening transparency and formalisation of employment.

(f) Stricter accident, dangerous occurrence, and disease reporting: Time-bound electronic reporting of fatal and non-fatal accidents, dangerous occurrences, and notified occupational diseases has been prescribed, along with detailed schedules. Reporting must be done within a specified time frame via an electronic portal (Labour Ministry/inspector-cum-facilitator platform). Further, Reports must be filed in prescribed digital formats (portal upload),

(g) Strengthened employee rights and duties: Employees are empowered to report unsafe conditions, while employers are obligated to take immediate remedial action and inform Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

(h) Institutional framework for occupational safety: Detailed provisions for the constitution, functioning, and governance of the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board and Technical Committees have been specified. The Central Government shall appoint the Members of the National Board

(i) Mandatory Safety Committees and Safety Officers: Safety Committees are prescribed for establishments employing 500 or more workers, with sector-specific thresholds for mines, docks, and construction works; the qualifications and duties of Safety Officers are clearly laid down.

(j) Uniform norms on working hours and leave: Codification of working hours, overtime, holidays, and an exhaustive leave framework for working journalists and sales promotion employees, including earned leave, medical leave, quarantine leave, and cash compensation.

(k) Digitised registers, returns, and inspections: Registers and returns may be maintained electronically, with a unified annual return prescribed; Inspector-cum-Facilitator is empowered to issue improvement or prohibition notices.

(l) Inspection-cum-facilitation approach reinforced: Sampling, inspections, and enforcement to be conducted as per risk-based inspection schemes under the Shram Suvidha Portal, strengthening transparency and ease of compliance.

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