Supreme Court narrows "industry" definition, sparking Jairam Ramesh criticism

On August 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that its 1978 expansive interpretation of "industry" under the Industrial Disputes Act will not apply to fresh cases under the 2020 Industrial Relations Code. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized this decision on X, arguing it weakens worker protections by narrowing the definition of "industry." The court's majority refined the Triple Test but Justice B.V. Nagarathna dissented, advocating for judicial certainty and against unsettling settled law. This ruling introduces uncertainty in labour relations, potentially affecting industrial peace.