Notification Record & Forms
Notification details and the forms every employer needs, in one place.
- Issuing authority
- Labour Department, Government of Nagaland, through the Office of the Labour Commissioner
- Notified
- 4 June 2026, Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary No 17
- Objection window
- 30 days from the date of publication, that is on or before 4 July 2026, as stated in the notification
- Legal basis
- Section 99 of the Industrial Relations Code 2020, Act No 35 of 2020
- Supersedes
- The Nagaland Trade Unions Regulations 1980, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Nagaland Rules 1978 and the Nagaland Industrial Disputes Rules 1979
- Status as of
- 23 July 2026, draft stage, final notification awaited
Nagaland has released draft rules under the Industrial Relations Code 2020 to reshape how trade unions, workplace committees and industrial disputes are handled across the state. This guide breaks down the forms, due dates, key provisions and changes in plain, simple language for employers, workers and trade unions.
The Labour Department, Government of Nagaland, has published the draft Nagaland Code on Industrial Relations Rules 2026. These rules are meant to operationalise the central Industrial Relations Code 2020 within the state. Once finalised, they will replace three older state laws and set out how trade unions get registered, how workplace committees function, how strikes and lock outs are notified, and how disputes reach the Industrial Tribunal at Dimapur.
Forms under the State Rules
Due Dates
Compliance deadlines, forms and how often each one recurs.
| Compliance | Form | Compliance Frequency | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice of change in service conditions | Form IX | Event based | Before effecting the change, with a copy to the Labour Commissioner, the conciliation officer and the Trade Union |
| Intimating a strike notice received from workers | Not applicable | Event based | Within 5 days of receiving the notice |
| Notice of lock out | Form XV | Event based | Before the lock out, with intimation to the Labour Commissioner within 5 days |
| Notice of retrenchment | Form XVI | Event based | 30 days before the retrenchment takes effect, as noted on the form |
| Notice of closure | Form XVI | Event based | 60 days before the closure takes effect, as noted on the form |
| Permission to lay off | Form XVII | Event based | At least 15 days before the intended lay off |
| Permission to continue a lay off | Form XVII | Event based | At least 15 days before expiry of the earlier lay off |
| Permission for retrenchment (Chapter X establishments) | Form XVII | Event based | At least 60 days before the intended retrenchment |
| Permission for closure (Chapter X establishments) | Form XVII | Event based | At least 90 days before the intended closure |
| Transfer of funds to the Worker Reskilling account | Not applicable | Event based | Within 10 days of retrenchment |
| Annual return of a Trade Union | Form VIII | Yearly | On or before 31 March every year |
Key Provisions
What changed under the Code, and what it means for payroll.
Old Law vs. New Law
What employers followed before, against what applies now — point matched against point.
| On this point | Before — earlier law | Now — the new Code |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Three separate state laws: the Nagaland Trade Unions Regulations 1980, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Nagaland Rules 1978 and the Nagaland Industrial Disputes Rules 1979 | One combined rule book, the Nagaland Code on Industrial Relations Rules 2026, made under the Industrial Relations Code 2020 |
| Dispute forum | Labour Court at Dimapur | State Industrial Tribunal at Dimapur, with a Judicial Member and an Administrative Member |
| Threshold for lay off, retrenchment or closure permission | 100 or more workers, under the earlier Industrial Disputes Act framework | 300 or more workers, under the Industrial Relations Code 2020 |
| Grievance handling | No dedicated statutory committee | Mandatory Grievance Redressal Committee for establishments with 20 or more workers |
| Union recognition | No fixed statutory process for recognising a bargaining union | Structured negotiating union or negotiating council system, verified through secret ballot |
| Filing and communication | Paper filing and postal notices only | Electronic filing, email and online portals allowed alongside post |
| Support after retrenchment | No dedicated reskilling support | New Worker Reskilling Fund, funded by 15 days of wages for every retrenched worker |
| Offence resolution | No structured compounding mechanism | Defined compounding process for first time offences under Rule 62 |
Applicability
Who the Code covers, and who gets special or exempt treatment.
Covered
- All industrial establishments in Nagaland to which the Industrial Relations Code 2020 applies
- Employers, workers and registered trade unions functioning within the state
- Establishments with 20 or more workers, which must set up a Grievance Redressal Committee
- Establishments covered by a Government order under Section 3(1), which must form a Works Committee
Exempted / special treatment
- Establishments with fewer than 300 workers do not need prior government permission before lay off, retrenchment or closure, though notice and compensation rules still apply
- Trade unions with membership up to 250 may get their accounts audited by two members instead of a chartered accountant
- Office accommodation for a negotiating union or council is compulsory only for establishments with 300 or more workers
- Seasonal establishments, and those where work happens only occasionally, sit outside Chapter X, the special lay off, retrenchment and closure permission chapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what employers ask us most about this rule.
What is the Nagaland Code on Industrial Relations Rules 2026?
It is a draft set of state rules that puts the central Industrial Relations Code 2020 into practice in Nagaland. It covers trade unions, workplace committees, standing orders, strikes, lock outs and how disputes are resolved.
Why did Nagaland need new industrial relations rules?
The central Industrial Relations Code 2020 came into force in November 2025, replacing older central laws. States must frame their own rules under the Code, and Nagaland's draft is meant to fill that gap and replace outdated state regulations.
Which old laws will the new rules replace?
Once notified, the rules will repeal the Nagaland Trade Unions Regulations 1980, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Nagaland Rules 1978 and the Nagaland Industrial Disputes Rules 1979.
Have the rules come into force yet?
No. As of the date of this article, they remain in draft form. They will take effect only once the State Government issues a final notification after considering objections and suggestions.
Who could raise objections to the draft and how?
Any affected person or organisation could send objections or suggestions to the Labour Commissioner, Office of the Labour Commissioner, New Secretariat Complex, Nagaland, Kohima, or by email, within the window stated in the notification.
What is a Works Committee and who forms it?
It is a joint body of employer and worker representatives set up when the Government directs an establishment to do so. It discusses matters of common interest and helps maintain harmony at the workplace.
What is a Grievance Redressal Committee and when is it required?
It is a joint committee that resolves individual worker complaints. Under the parent Code, an establishment with 20 or more workers must set one up, with equal representation for employer and workers.
How does a trade union get registered in Nagaland under the new rules?
A union applies to the Registrar of Trade Unions in Form V, along with a No Objection Certificate from the district Deputy Commissioner and a registration fee of Rs 1000, following the process set out in Rule 12.
What is a negotiating union and how does it get recognised?
It is the trade union authorised to negotiate with the employer on behalf of workers. A union with 30 percent or more membership in an establishment can claim this role, and recognition is confirmed through a membership verification process that can include a secret ballot.
Do employers need government permission before retrenchment or closure?
Only larger establishments covered under Chapter X, generally those with 300 or more workers, need prior government permission. Smaller establishments must still give notice and pay compensation, but do not need permission.
What is the Worker Reskilling Fund?
It is a fund built from employer contributions equal to 15 days of wages for every retrenched worker. The amount is credited to the worker to help with reskilling and finding new employment.
Where will industrial disputes be heard under the new system?
Disputes not settled through conciliation go to the State Industrial Tribunal, whose principal seat is at Dimapur, sitting with a Judicial Member and, where required, an Administrative Member.
Can an offence under the rules be settled without going to court?
Yes, for many first time offences. A Gazetted Officer notified as the compounding officer can allow the offence to be compounded once the person deposits the compounding amount within 15 days of the notice.
Where can employers get the official forms and file them?
The forms are annexed to the draft rules themselves, and once notified, they will also be available through the Labour Department, Government of Nagaland, and its designated online portal.
Where can I read the full draft rules?
The complete draft is published in the Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary, No 17, dated 4 June 2026, which is available from the Directorate of Printing and Stationery, Nagaland, and through the Labour Department's official channels.
Sources
Where every fact on this page comes from.
- → The Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary, No 17, dated 4 June 2026, Notification No LAB/DRAFT/LC/1/26/2025 to 26/196, Directorate of Printing and Stationery, Nagaland (official)
- → The Industrial Relations Code 2020, Act No 35 of 2020, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India (official)
- → Office of the Labour Commissioner, New Secretariat Complex, Nagaland, Kohima 797004, email labcomm ngl at nic dot in (official)
- → Labour Department, Government of Nagaland, official website (official)
For informational purposes only — not legal advice. State rules referenced here are subject to change on final notification. Verify current status with our compliance team before acting.