The Ministry of Law and Justice has notified the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, introducing major reforms to the Shops and Establishments Regulation, 2004.
Promulgated by the President under Article 240 of the Constitution, the regulation will come into effect on a date to be notified by the Administrator of the Union Territory.
This amendment seeks to modernise labour laws in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, expand regulatory coverage, streamline digital registration, revise working-hour limits, and update safeguards relating to the employment of women and young persons.
⭐ Key Highlights of the 2025 Amendment
1. Regulation Expanded to More Establishments
A new Section 1A has been inserted, significantly widening the scope of the law:
The Regulation now applies to all establishments employing 20 or more persons at any time in the preceding 12 months.
This is a major shift from the earlier threshold referenced in various sections.
2. Updated Definition of Small Establishments
- Section 3(1)(d) now replaces “three persons” with “twenty persons”, aligning definitions with the expanded applicability threshold.
3. Fully Digital Registration Process
The amendment modernises registration procedures under Section 4:
What’s New?
- Employers must now apply online for registration within the prescribed period.
- On approval, the employer must generate the registration certificate online and pay the fee electronically.
- The Administrator can revise fees periodically.
- Sub-section (7), which previously governed manual procedures, has been removed.
Updated Registration Fee Schedule
The entire Schedule has been replaced. Fees are now:
| Employee Strength | Fee (₹) |
| 20–29 employees | 1,000 |
| 30–49 employees | 1,500 |
| 50 employees or more | 2,000 |
This digital-first approach simplifies compliance and increases transparency.
4. Increase in Working Hours
Work hour limits under Sections 7 and 8 have been revised:
Section 7
- Daily maximum raised from 9 hours to 10 hours.
- First proviso updated to allow work up to 12 hours under specific conditions.
- Overtime cap increased from 50 hours to 144 hours, giving establishments greater flexibility during peak workloads.
Section 8
- Again, maximum daily hours revised from 9 hours to 10 hours.
5. Revised Rest Interval Rules
Under Section 9:
- Employees may work up to 6 hours, provided they receive a minimum 30-minute rest.
- The clause wording has been restructured for clarity, ensuring rest breaks are mandatory beyond the 6-hour threshold.
6. New Rules on Employment of Women & Young Persons (Section 21)
Section 21 has been fully replaced, bringing updated protections:
General Prohibition
- Women and young persons cannot be required or permitted to work between 7 PM and 6 AM.
Conditional Night Work for Women
Women may work night shifts with their consent, provided:
- adequate safety and security measures are in place;
- holiday provisions are made as prescribed.
Additional Safeguards for Hazardous Work
- If certain operations are considered dangerous for women, the Administrator may mandate specific safeguards before permitting their employment in such processes.
This reflects a balance between expanding opportunities and ensuring safety.
7. Certain Supervisory Powers Removed
- Section 34(2)(d) and (e) have been omitted, streamlining administrative oversight provisions.
📌 Overall Significance
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Regulation, 2025 introduces sweeping upgrades to the labour regulation framework of the Union Territory. Key impacts include:
- Broader coverage through the new 20-employee threshold
- Modern, digital-first registration and certification
- Higher work hour flexibility for employers
- Stronger and clearer safety norms for women workers
- Simplified compliance through revised schedules and omitted provisions
These changes align the UT’s labour framework with evolving economic needs while ensuring worker welfare and workplace safety remain central.