Refresher training exemption allows oil mines to train on off periods with compensatory leave and training allowances.
Oil mines employing persons on an "on-and-off" work pattern may provide refresher training during employees' off periods instead of during normal working hours on a full-day release basis. Where such training occurs beyond normal working hours during an off period, employees must receive compensatory off equal to the training days attended, in addition to applicable training allowances.

Core activity determination process notified for aggrieved parties under occupational safety rules, with enquiry and decision timelines.
Notification prescribes the manner and process for an aggrieved party to apply to the Central Government for examination of whether an establishment's activity is a core activity or otherwise under rule 101 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026. The application must be made in the specified form with supporting documents by email or speed post, may be referred to the designated authority for enquiry and recommendation, and is to be decided by the Ministry after following the principle of natural justice and communicating the decision to the aggrieved party.

Initial medical examination notice for mine employment standardises employer notification, examination details, and non-attendance consequences before engagement.
A notification under Rule 111(1) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 prescribes the form of notice for an initial medical examination required before mine employment. Employers must issue the notice to the person to be examined and send it to the examination authority. The notice must state the individual's details, nature of employment, and the examining authority, place, date, and time of examination. It also specifies that failure to attend without reasonable cause results in ineligibility for employment in the mine from the stated date.

Periodical medical examination notice form prescribed for mine managers when workers fail to attend without reasonable cause.
Specification of the second notice for periodical medical examination under rule 111(4) prescribes the form to be used by a mine manager where a person has failed to attend medical examination without reasonable cause. The notice requires the person to present before the examining authority on the stated date and time, and the manager must send the issued notice to the examining authority. The form also includes particulars of the missed examination and the earlier notice issued.

Periodical medical examination notice form prescribes employer notice details, examination particulars, and continued mine employment conditions.
Specification of the notice form for periodical medical examination under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 prescribes the manner in which a manager must notify a person to be examined. The form requires particulars such as the notice number, date, employee details, and the examining authority, place, date and time for the medical examination. It also states that failure to submit for the examination without reasonable cause will affect continuance in employment in the mine.

Provident fund contribution rate set at twelve percent for employers and employees, with specified industrial and insolvency exclusions.
Sets the contribution rate under the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 at twelve percent for both employer and employee in covered establishments, subject to specified exclusions. The exclusions include establishments with an approved resolution plan or repayment plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, and specified establishments in the jute, beedi, brick, coir other than the spinning sector, and guar gum sectors. The notification is deemed effective from 21 November 2025.

Employer contribution rate under the deposit linked insurance scheme fixed as one-half per cent of wages payable monthly.
Employer's contribution rate under the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 2026 is specified as one-half per cent of the wages payable in relation to each employee. The contribution is payable every month by the employer to the Insurance Fund established under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

Employer contribution rate to the Pension Fund is notified for the Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026.
Employer's contribution to the Pension Fund under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 is notified at eight and one-third per cent of wages payable to employees. The contribution must be paid every month by the employer to the Pension Fund established under the Code on Social Security, 2020, with effect from the commencement of the scheme. The notification is issued in exercise of statutory power under the Code and without prejudice to the earlier notification referenced in the text.

Rescue worker medical fitness standards require comprehensive clinical testing, prescribed physical criteria, and structured certification before training
Medical examination standards apply to persons selected for rescue and recovery training and to rescue-trained persons. Assessment covers physical and mental fitness, locomotor function, unaided vision, hearing and audiometry, respiratory and cardiovascular health, neurological status, metabolic and blood parameters, renal function, BMI, dental health, and specified pathological conditions. Required procedures include chest radiography, spirometry, cardiovascular assessment with 12-lead electrocardiography and lipid profile, neurological examination, and the Height Pass and Vertigo Test. The certificate and report record clinical findings, investigations, supporting reports, fitness status, and any required treatment or re-examination.

Rescue trained person standards set mandatory instruction topics, annual practice requirements, and refresher training conditions.
Standards are specified for the courses of instructions and practices for every rescue trained person under rule 141(2) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026. The instructions cover mine fire response, breathing apparatus, gas detection, rescue and recovery work, rope rescue, lifting equipment, fire extinguishers and cardio pulmonary resuscitation. The practice requirement prescribes at least eight annual practices, with specified distribution between mines and a training gallery, and permits a special five-day refresher course where the gap exceeds four months for valid reasons.

Initial rescue and recovery training covers underground fire response, breathing apparatus practice, rope rescue, CPR, and rescue tools.
Courses of instruction and practice are specified for initial training in rescue and recovery work. The instruction covers underground fire recovery, breathing and tube apparatus, revival methods, gas detection, gas sampling, mine plans, rope rescue, lifting bags, hydraulic cutters, spreaders, jacks, ring saws, fire extinguishers and cardio pulmonary resuscitation. The practical component requires not less than ten breathing apparatus practices, minimum training on CPR and rescue tools, and a separate period for rope rescue equipment training by recommended trainers.

Rescue team communication signals are standardised for breathing apparatus use in belowground mines, including distress, halt, retire, and advance.
Signals for communication by rescue team members are specified for rescue trained persons using breathing apparatus in belowground mines. The prescribed code standardises rescue communication and provides that one hoot signifies Distress or Help Wanted, with unanswered calls to be understood as distress; two hoots indicate Halt; three hoots indicate Retire; and four hoots indicate Advance.

Rescue apparatus accident reporting form prescribed for below ground mines, rescue stations and rescue rooms under safety rules.
Specifies the prescribed form for reporting accidents arising out of the use of rescue apparatus in a below ground mine, rescue station or rescue room under Rule 131(6) and (7) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026. The report is to be submitted by the Manager or Rescue Superintendent to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator and Inspector-cum-Facilitator and must include particulars of the location, owner, accident time and place, casualties, apparatus details, cause of accident, and details of persons killed or injured.

Breathing apparatus testing standards require periodic inspection, oxygen purity checks, and mandatory recordkeeping for rescue equipment.
Specifies the procedure for testing breathing and resuscitating apparatus, flow meters and the purity of oxygen used in breathing apparatus. The standard applies to apparatus in rescue stations and rescue rooms and requires periodic testing of condition, leakage, cylinder pressure, relief valve discharge pressure, oxygen delivery rate and automatic demand valve operation, with records kept in bound or non-editable electronic form. Oxygen purity must be tested, and oxygen containing more than one per cent impurities must not be used. Apparatus testers must also be checked for accuracy at manufacturer-recommended intervals.

Mine safety equipment standards set for belowground mines without rescue rooms, with minimum rescue and gas-detection provisions required.
Specification of the apparatus and equipment to be provided and maintained at the surface entrance of a belowground mine where no rescue room is located under Rule 131(2) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026. The notification applies to all such mines and prescribes minimum safety and rescue equipment, including breathing apparatus, self-rescuers, gas detectors, hygrometers, safety belts, resuscitating apparatus, first-aid boxes, blankets, scoop stretchers and a spine board. The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator of Mines may also require additional or higher-capacity equipment by written order.

Rescue station equipment standards now prescribe minimum apparatus, rescue tools, and safety gear for underground mine operations.
Minimum apparatus and equipment standards are specified for rescue stations and rescue rooms for immediate use under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026. The standards apply to all rescue stations or rescue rooms established and maintained for serving any below ground mine or a group of below ground mines, and set out the minimum quantities of breathing apparatus, resuscitating apparatus, ancillary equipment, lamps, gas detectors, air and temperature measuring instruments, communication devices, safety and first-aid equipment, fire-fighting equipment, and miscellaneous rescue tools to be kept available at each facility.

Employees' pension coverage regulates contributions, service-based benefits, family protection, exemptions, fund administration, and international worker totalisation.
The Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 supersedes the earlier family pension and pension schemes while continuing the Pension Fund Account and prior benefit administration. It regulates membership, employer and Government contributions, eligible service, pensionable wages, superannuation and early pension, withdrawal benefits, disablement pension, and family pension. Employers must remit contributions, maintain records, file returns, and comply with implementation directions. The Scheme also governs fund administration, exemptions, transfer values, claims settlement, and special totalisation and benefit rules for International Workers covered by social security agreements.

Deposit-linked insurance assurance benefits protect provident fund members' beneficiaries through employer-funded coverage, regulated claims, and conditional exemptions.
Employers must contribute to the Deposit-Linked Insurance Fund, make electronic monthly payments, cannot recover their contribution from employees, and must furnish employee information and records. On an employee's death, assurance benefit is payable in addition to provident fund accumulations, generally by reference to average provident fund balance, with separate enhanced provisions for continuous qualifying service. Benefits are paid to nominees, family members, or legally entitled persons through prescribed claims procedures. Exemptions require employee consent, approved group insurance providing more beneficial coverage, monthly reporting, inspection compliance, and employer responsibility where the insurer fails to pay.

Provident fund membership and electronic compliance govern contributions, exemptions, withdrawals, trustee oversight, and transitional regularisation measures for covered employees.
The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 supersedes the former Scheme and regulates mandatory membership, contributions, exemptions, Fund administration, transfers, nominations, withdrawals and electronic compliance for covered establishments. Employers must remit contributions and charges, including for contractual employees, maintain prescribed records and returns, and facilitate member identification and account access. Exempted establishments must maintain trustee governance, equivalent or superior benefits, electronic accounts, audits, compliant investments and timely claim settlement. The Scheme also provides rules for International Workers, partial and final withdrawals, payment of death benefits, inoperative accounts, and special enrolment, damages and exemption-regularisation measures.

Delegation of verification officer appointment power under industrial relations rules for recognition of negotiating union or council.
The Central Government delegates to officers of the rank of Joint Secretary dealing with Industrial Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment the power under Rule 9(3) to appoint a verification officer for recognition of a negotiating union or negotiating council. The delegation applies to establishments where the Central Government is the appropriate Government and is made in exercise of section 100 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.