UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Lok Sabha passes Industrial Relations Code Bill to avoid confusion over 2020 Act

Q1. Which one of the following statutes is the parent enactment that the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — passed by the Lok Sabha in February 2026 — directly amends?

  • A. Code on Wages, 2019
  • B. Industrial Relations Code, 2020
  • C. Code on Social Security, 2020
  • D. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Q2. With reference to the four Labour Codes that were brought into effect together on 21 November 2025, consider the following: 1. Code on Wages, 2019 2. Industrial Relations Code, 2020 3. Code on Social Security, 2020 4. Factories Code, 2020 Which of the above is/are correctly identified as one of the four Labour Codes?

  1. Code on Wages, 2019
  2. Industrial Relations Code, 2020
  3. Code on Social Security, 2020
  4. Factories Code, 2020
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. In the context of the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Section 104 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 is best described as a provision that —

  • A. defines the term 'industrial dispute' and the persons covered by the Code
  • B. provides for the constitution and functions of the Central Advisory Board on Industrial Relations
  • C. contains the repeal and savings provisions in respect of three pre-Code labour enactments
  • D. prescribes the procedure for recognition of negotiating unions and negotiating councils

Q4. With reference to the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and its parent Industrial Relations Code, 2020, consider the following statements: 1. The Amendment Bill substitutes sub-section (1) of Section 104 of the parent Code. 2. Unlike the parent Code, the Amendment Bill provides that the three pre-Code labour enactments stand repealed by executive notification rather than by operation of the Code itself. 3. The parent Code, along with the other three Labour Codes, was brought into force on 21 November 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Amendment Bill substitutes sub-section (1) of Section 104 of the parent Code.
  2. Unlike the parent Code, the Amendment Bill provides that the three pre-Code labour enactments stand repealed by executive notification rather than by operation of the Code itself.
  3. The parent Code, along with the other three Labour Codes, was brought into force on 21 November 2025.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3