Rule 26: Notice of lock-out and authority
Reviewed by Finin2min Editorial Desk · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Rule 26 — Sets the statutory notice requirement for notice of lock-out and authority, including the relevant trigger, recipient and timing conditions. Key operative text: (1) The notice of lock-out referred to in sub–section (2) of section 62 shall be given in Form-XII by the employer of an industrial establishment to the Secretary of every registered Trade Union relating to such industrial…
Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 were finally notified under G.S.R. 342(E), 8 May 2026. The Central Rules must be read with the Code and any later amendment/corrigendum.
Finin2min analysis — operative rule mechanics
Operative clauses
- (1) The notice of lock-out referred to in sub–section (2) of section 62 shall be given in Form-XII by the employer of an industrial establishment to the Secretary of every registered Trade Union relating to such industrial establishment by speed post or electronically, endorsing a copy thereof to the concerned conciliation officer, Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and…
- (2) The notice referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be displayed conspicuously by the employer on the notice board or on electronic board at the main entrance to the industrial establishment and a copy of the said notice may also be posted on the designated portal, if any, of such industrial establishment and the date of receipt of such notice by the conciliation officer shall be the date of receiving the notice for…
Provisos / explanations
- No proviso/explanation was separately extracted from this rule.
Thresholds & timelines
- (3) If the employer gives to any person employed by him a notice of lock-out, he shall, within five days from the date of such notice, inform electronically the same to the concerned conciliation officer and the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).
Mapped Code sections
Full notified text — Rule 26
26. Notice of lock-out and authority.– (1) The notice of lock-out referred to in sub–section (2) of section 62 shall be
given in Form-XII by the employer of an industrial establishment to the Secretary of every registered Trade Union
relating to such industrial establishment by speed post or electronically, endorsing a copy thereof to the concerned
conciliation officer, Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment
electronically.
(2) The notice referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be displayed conspicuously by the employer on the notice board or on
electronic board at the main entrance to the industrial establishment and a copy of the said notice may also be posted on
the designated portal, if any, of such industrial establishment and the date of receipt of such notice by the conciliation
officer shall be the date of receiving the notice for the purposes of clause (a) of sub-rule (1) of rule 23.
(3) If the employer gives to any person employed by him a notice of lock-out, he shall, within five days from the date
of such notice, inform electronically the same to the concerned conciliation officer and the Chief Labour Commissioner
(Central).
CHAPTER IX
LAY-OFF, RETRENCHMENT AND CLOSUREApplication and evidence
- Primary statutory test — (1) The notice of lock-out referred to in sub–section (2) of section 62 shall be given in Form-XII by the employer of an industrial establishment to the Secretary of every registered Trade Union relating to such industrial establishment by speed post or electronically, endorsing a copy thereof to the concerned conciliation officer, Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and…
- Additional operative limb — (2) The notice referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be displayed conspicuously by the employer on the notice board or on electronic board at the main entrance to the industrial establishment and a copy of the said notice may also be posted on the designated portal, if any, of such industrial establishment and the date of receipt of such notice by the conciliation officer shall be the date of receiving the notice for…
- Numerical or timing control — (3) If the employer gives to any person employed by him a notice of lock-out, he shall, within five days from the date of such notice, inform electronically the same to the concerned conciliation officer and the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).
- Code Section mapping — 62. Read the mapped provision together with this text rather than treating the concordance as a substitute for it.
- Prescribed-form link recorded in the corpus — XII. Confirm the current notified form/version before filing.
- Evidence file — retain facts and records proving the role/status of: Employer, Authority / officer, Trade union.
Cross-references & prescribed forms
Sections cited/mapped
Forms
XII
Worked example
Suppose an industrial establishment reaches a step governed by notice of lock-out and authority. HR/IR should create a dated file showing coverage, the competent authority/union status, required notice or application, service proof and the result. One operative text point to test is: “(3) If the employer gives to any person employed by him a notice of lock-out, he shall, within five days from the date of such notice, inform electronically the same to the concerned conciliation officer and the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).” Reconcile the mapped Code Section(s) 62. Use the current notified XII where the process requires it.
Illustrative only. Use the exact notified rule, prescribed form and competent authority.
Q&A — Rule 26
What is Rule 26 of the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026?
Rule 26 — Sets the statutory notice requirement for notice of lock-out and authority, including the relevant trigger, recipient and timing conditions. Key operative text: (1) The notice of lock-out referred to in sub–section (2) of section 62 shall be given in Form-XII by the employer of an industrial establishment to the Secretary of every registered Trade Union relating to such industrial…
What does Rule 26 require or permit?
A principal operative clause extracted from the notified rule is: “(1) The notice of lock-out referred to in sub–section (2) of section 62 shall be given in Form-XII by the employer of an industrial establishment to the Secretary of every registered Trade Union relating to such industrial establishment by speed post or electronically, endorsing a copy thereof to the concerned conciliation officer, Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and…” Read it with all sub-rules and provisos below.
Does Rule 26 contain a proviso or explanation?
No standalone proviso or explanation was extracted from this rule text. Check the complete rule below for clause-level conditions.
What deadline, period, percentage or amount appears in Rule 26?
The rule contains this numerical/time expression: “(3) If the employer gives to any person employed by him a notice of lock-out, he shall, within five days from the date of such notice, inform electronically the same to the concerned conciliation officer and the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).” Apply it only in its notified context.
Which Code sections are linked to Rule 26?
The current concordance maps Rule 26 to Section(s) 62.
Which form is connected with Rule 26?
The current corpus records: XII. Confirm the current notified version before use.
When did Rule 26 come into force?
The final Central Rules were notified as G.S.R. 342(E), 8 May 2026; Rule 1 states that the Rules come into force on publication. Check any later amendment or corrigendum before reliance.
Primary sources
Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 — official Gazette PDF ↗
Industrial Relations Code, 2020 — India Code ↗
Source check: 20 August 2026.