India's Landmark Labor Reforms Come into Effect
In a significant overhaul of its labor laws, India officially implemented four new Labour Codes on November 21, 2025. These codes—the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code (2020)—rationalize and replace 29 existing central labor laws, marking one of the most sweeping workforce reforms since Independence.
The government hails this move as a historic decision aimed at modernizing India's labor governance, simplifying regulations, boosting worker welfare, enhancing safety standards, and aligning the country's labor ecosystem with global best practices. Key provisions of the new codes include mandatory appointment letters for all workers, universal social security coverage (including for gig and platform workers), statutory minimum wages, and timely payment of wages across all sectors.
Additionally, the reforms introduce enhanced protections for women workers, allowing them to work night shifts across all sectors, including hazardous industries, subject to consent and stringent safety measures. Workers above 40 years of age will be entitled to free annual health check-ups. The codes also aim to reduce the compliance burden for businesses through a single registration, license, and return system, fostering formalization of employment and promoting ease of doing business.
While the government emphasizes the codes' potential to create a "protected, future-ready workforce and resilient industries," trade unions have voiced concerns, calling the implementation "anti-worker, pro-employer" and announcing nationwide protests.
Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 Notified
Further strengthening India's digital governance, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, were notified on November 14, 2025, fully operationalizing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). These rules establish a comprehensive and citizen-centric framework for the responsible use of digital personal data.
The DPDP Rules aim to curb unauthorized commercial use of data, reduce digital harms, and create a safe space for innovation, aligning India more closely with global privacy norms. They set out clear standards for notice, consent, security safeguards, and breach reporting, empowering citizens with greater control over their personal data. A fully digital Data Protection Board of India will oversee compliance and facilitate grievance redressal, allowing citizens to file complaints online.
Delhi Government Initiatives: Atal Canteens and Pension Scheme Review
The Delhi government has announced significant social welfare initiatives. On November 21, 2025, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta laid the foundation stone for the first 'Atal Canteen' in Sanjay Basti, Timarpur. This is part of a larger plan to launch 100 such canteens across Delhi by December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, aiming to provide freshly prepared, nutritious meals to the needy for just ₹5.
In another move, the Delhi government's Planning department has initiated a study to evaluate its Senior Citizen Pension Scheme. This review seeks to identify and remove ineligible beneficiaries, assess the adequacy of the pension amount, and improve the overall targeting and implementation of the scheme, which provides monthly financial assistance to elderly residents.
PM-KISAN 21st Installment Released and Digital Life Certificate Drive
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on November 19, 2025. This installment disbursed approximately ₹18,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of around nine crore eligible farmers, continuing one of the world's largest direct benefit transfer initiatives.
Furthermore, the government continues its efforts to streamline the submission of Digital Life Certificates (Jeevan Pramaan) for pensioners. This initiative, utilizing Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, aims to make the process hassle-free and eliminate the need for physical visits to banks or pension offices, especially benefiting aged and infirm pensioners.