Supreme Court settles decades-long debate on 'industry' definition in labour law
A nine-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court has finally settled a long-standing question on the definition of 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, in the case State of U.P. v. Jai Bir Singh. The reference, pending in various forms since 2001, has occupied the Court's attention for over two decades.
The judgment, delivered on 20 August 2026, comprises five separate opinions and reviews nearly 80 years of industrial law jurisprudence. The definition determines access for workers to protective and dispute-resolution mechanisms under the Act, including conciliation, adjudication, reinstatement and compensation.
The decision carries implications for labour law practice, particularly as the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 now replaces the Industrial Disputes Act. The Court's pronouncement traces the evolution of the concept through landmark judgments, including the seven-Judge decision in Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa.
