Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the four newly-implemented labour codes mark one of the most significant labour reforms since Independence, asserting that they will ensure universal social security, protect workers’ rights and simplify compliance for industries.

New labour codes come into effect

The Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020) and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) have officially come into force from today, replacing and rationalising 29 existing labour laws.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister described the move as a transformative step that strengthens both workers and enterprises. He stated that the reforms will ensure timely wages, safer workplaces and better opportunities, especially for women and young workers.

According to the government, these codes create a unified, modern and transparent labour framework. The Labour Ministry noted that several of India’s older labour laws were framed decades ago and struggled to match current economic realities. The codes aim to align India with global practices, reduce compliance burden and support a future-ready workforce.

PM highlights job creation, productivity boost

PM Modi said that the implementation of the codes will build “a future-ready ecosystem that protects the rights of workers” while supporting India’s economic growth goals. He added that the reform push aligns with the vision of a self-reliant and developed nation.

The Labour Ministry’s statement said the modernised codes address long-standing fragmentation in labour regulations and will help foster resilient industries and a competitive economy.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is set to roll out a fresh advisory to medical colleges across India, directing institutions and practitioners to strictly avoid any form of “anti-national activity” on campus. The move comes in the wake of arrests of several doctors from Al-Falah University for alleged links to a terror module connected to the November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.

NMC drafting new advisory after Al-Falah case

According to officials, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board is currently preparing the guideline document, which will be circulated to all medical institutions nationwide. The advisory will focus on behavioural expectations, professional responsibilities, and alignment with national health priorities within medical campuses.

A senior NMC official said that the future status of Al-Falah Medical College, which functions under Haryana’s private university law, will depend on the findings of the ongoing national-level investigation. “We will take a final call based on the Haryana government’s decision and inputs from the Centre,” the official said.

Students assured their academics won’t be impacted

The medical college, granted approval in 2019, has already filled all 150 MBBS seats for the 2025–26 session. NMC clarified that the academic future of students will be protected irrespective of the investigation outcome. “The Commission will ensure that innocent medical students are protected,” the official added.

Probe widens into Al-Falah operations

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Al-Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The financial probe has expanded to examine the Al-Falah Trust, associated entities, and the university’s administrative and financial structures. Earlier searches were carried out at locations linked to the institution.

The Delhi government has asked all schools, colleges and sports bodies to defer sports competitions scheduled for November and December in view of the capital’s worsening air quality. The decision comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed NCR authorities to immediately halt physical sporting events due to rising pollution levels.

Government issues strict compliance order

In a circular released on Wednesday, the Directorate of Education and Sports instructed all educational institutions—government, aided and private—as well as those run by the MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board to fully comply with the order. Universities, colleges and sports associations recognised by national federations and the Union sports ministry were also told to postpone events until further notice.

Delhi records ‘very poor’ air

Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 370 on Friday, slightly lower than Thursday’s reading of 391. However, officials warned that pollution levels may soon slip into the ‘severe’ category.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels are classified as:

• 0–50: good
• 51–100: satisfactory
• 101–200: moderate
• 201–300: poor
• 301–400: very poor
• 401–500: severe
  

Data from the CPCB’s Sameer app showed 23 monitoring stations reporting ‘very poor’ air quality, while 13 recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels.