Most workers in India have been used to a five-day work week for a long time. But now that people are talking more about work-life balance and productivity, a lot of people are asking if India could really have a four-day work week. Some countries, like Japan, Germany, and Spain, have already tried shorter workweeks and have said the results were positive. It is interesting that recent talks and changes to India’s labour rules suggest that some workers may be able to work only four days a week.
What the Ministry of Labour Has Said About a 4-Day Work Week
The Ministry of Labour and Employment recently explained on X (formerly Twitter) that the new Labour Codes make a four-day work week possible. The Ministry says that workers can put in 12 hours a day for four days, and the other three days will be paid off. But the total number of hours worked each week cannot go over 48, and any work over 12 hours in a day must be paid at double the standard rate.
New Labour Laws Allow for Flexible Work Hours.
The Labour Ministry said that under the new Labour Codes, workers can work 12 hours a day for four days and take the last three days off with pay, which adds up to a four-day workweek.
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The limit on weekly work hours is still the same.
The Labour Ministry made it clear that, even with a four-day work week, there will still be a limit of 48 hours of work per week. It also said that the 12-hour job includes breaks and spread-out time so that workers do not have to work the whole time.
What’s New in India’s Updated Labour Laws?
On November 21, 2025, the government took 29 current labour laws and combined them into four new ones: the Code on Wages (2019), the Industrial Relations Code (2020), the Social Security Code (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020). The move is meant to make labour rules easier while making sure workers are paid on time, their working hours are controlled, their workplaces are safer, and more people have access to health and social security benefits.
A big change for fixed-term workers is what the new rules bring about. They now have the same perks as regular employees, such as health insurance, social security, and time off. Interestingly, fixed-term workers can get a bonus after only one year of continuous service rather than the previous five-year rule. Also, they must be paid the same as regular employees who do the same kind of work.
