HR Policy in India: What the Model Standing Orders, 2026 Say
Published
Under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the standing orders chapter applies to industrial establishments with 300 or more workers. Such an establishment must have standing orders - written rules on conditions of service - and until its own are certified, the Model Standing Orders notified by the Central Government apply. If your company is smaller, check the rules of your state; many companies use the model orders as an official template for their HR policy.
When standing orders are mandatory
- The standing orders chapter of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 applies to every industrial establishment where 300 or more workers are employed, or were employed on any day in the preceding twelve months.
- The Central Government makes model standing orders on conditions of service.
- Until an establishment's own standing orders are certified, the model standing orders are deemed to be adopted there.
- The Model Standing Orders, 2026 were notified on 8 May 2026 and have separate schedules for the mining, manufacturing and service sectors.
Topics the Model Standing Orders cover (service sector, Schedule C)
Identity card; working timings; holidays and pay days; wage rates; shift working and notice of changes; work from home, remote and virtual workplace; attendance and late coming; leave; casual leave; payment of wages; service record; confirmation; age of retirement; transfer; medical aid in case of accidents; medical examination; secrecy; exclusive service; stoppage of work; termination of employment; disciplinary action for misconduct; liability of manager and workers; exhibition of standing orders.
Key rules from Schedule C
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| Topic | What the model orders say |
|---|---|
| Work from home | The employer may allow a worker to work from home, a remote location or a virtual workplace, subject to the conditions of appointment or an agreement, for periods the employer decides. |
| Casual leave | Up to 10 days with wages in a calendar year, not more than 3 days at a time except for sickness or unforeseen circumstances. |
| Service certificate | On discharge, termination, retirement or resignation, the employer must issue a service certificate (nature of work, designation, period of employment) within ten days. |
| Notice for permanent workers | One month's notice, or wages in lieu of notice, to terminate a permanent worker's employment. |
| Retirement age | As agreed in writing between employer and worker, or as set in a binding settlement or award. If no age is agreed, retirement is on completing 58 years of age. |
| Transfer | Every establishment must have a transfer policy made known to all workers. |
Government employees follow their own service rules, which can set a different retirement age.
Issuing letters on exit? See our experience letter and relieving letter format.
What a small company's HR policy should cover
Practical checklist - HRexora's guidance, not a legal requirement for companies under 300 workers.
- Working hours, weekly off and holidays
- Attendance and late coming
- Leave types and how to apply
- Pay day and how wages are paid
- Work from home rules, if any
- Probation and confirmation
- Notice period and exit process
- Code of conduct and disciplinary process
- Who to contact in HR
Check pay and deductions with our CTC calculator and PF calculator.
Frequently asked questions
For reference only, not legal advice. State governments may notify their own rules; check what applies to your establishment.