UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Evolution of Labour Law and the Definition of 'Industry' in India

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the evolution of labour laws, the role of judicial interpretation in shaping their scope, and the implications of new codes like the IRC on worker rights and industrial relations is crucial for GS2 (Governance, Social Justice) and GS3 (Economy - Labour Reforms).

Indian labour law has evolved significantly, with the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, being a cornerstone for industrial relations and dispute resolution. This Act, now repealed by the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, defined 'industry' to determine the scope of its protections, a definition that has been subject to extensive judicial interpretation, notably in the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) case.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (ID Act)

Provided framework for industrial peace and dispute resolution, defining 'industry' under Section 2(j).

BWSSB vs A. Rajappa (1978)

Supreme Court judgment that established the 'Triple Test' for defining 'industry', adopting a broad, worker-oriented approach.

Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IRC)

Repealed the ID Act, 1947, and introduced a new definition of 'industry' under Section 2(p), effective November 21, 2025.

Recent Supreme Court Reference

A nine-judge bench considered the correctness of BWSSB, but the reference became otiose due to the ID Act's repeal, highlighting the ongoing debate on labour protections.

Reference table

Key Labour Law Definitions

ActDefinition of 'Industry'
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (Section 2(j))Broadly interpreted by BWSSB to include any systematic activity with employer-employee relations, irrespective of profit motive or nature of activity (e.g., welfare activities, government departments).
Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (Section 2(p))Aims to consolidate and amend laws relating to industrial relations; its definition of 'industry' is expected to be interpreted on its own terms, potentially narrowing the scope of 'industry' compared to BWSSB.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaLabour Law Reforms
Conceptual areaJudicial Precedent

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaInterprets laws and sets precedents
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • ID Act, 1947, repealed by Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
  • BWSSB (1978) defined 'industry' broadly, protecting more workers.
  • New IRC 2020 has its own definition (Section 2(p)).
  • Debate on whether IRC will narrow scope of 'industry' and worker protection.
  • Supreme Court's role in interpreting labour laws is crucial.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Distinguish between constitutional provisions (like DPSP) that guide labour law and the specific statutory definitions and frameworks.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

International RelationsOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

EconomyOpen question
2022Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

EconomyOpen question
2021Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

EconomyOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

EconomyOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

EconomyOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Topic timeline

Labour Law ReformsJudicial Precedent
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

Open question

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

Open question

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

Open question

Labour rights beyond the shadow of BWSSB

25 Aug 2026 · The definition of 'industry' under Indian labour laws, particularly the ID Act, 1947, and its successor, the IRC, 2020, has been a critical point of judicial interpretation, impacting the extent of labour protections. The Supreme Court's BWSSB judgment (1978) significantly broadened this definition, a stance now debated in the context of the new IRC.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Evolution of Labour Law and the Definition of 'Industry' in India

Often confused with

Constitutional Mandate of Social Justice and Labour Rights

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Evolution of Labour Law and the Definition of 'Industry' in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Evolution of Labour Law and the Definition of 'Industry' in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-...

2019·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

2022·Economy
Solve

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

2018·Economy
Solve

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

2025·Economy
Solve

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

2021·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

2019·Economy
Solve

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

2016·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Editorial & Review Process

Every revision note and practice question on UPSC Practice is researched using authoritative primary sources and reviewed for factual accuracy, syllabus relevance, and exam value. Read our Editorial Policy.

Verified Quality
Browse all topics