PolityGovernance
News 15 of 29

Supreme Court's 9-Judge Bench to Reinterpret 'Industry' Under Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
14 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:March 17, 2026March 18, 2026Section 2(j) of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947197820052017
Bodies:Supreme Court
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.A 9-judge Supreme Court Constitution Bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, will hear arguments on March 17-18, 2026, to define 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

2.The core issue is whether Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer's 1978 'Bangalore Water Supply' test for determining an 'industry' remains valid law.

3.The bench will also decide if government-run social welfare activities constitute 'industrial activities' under the Act, impacting labor rights across public and private sectors.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Supreme Court has constituted a rare 9-judge Constitution Bench to conclusively interpret the definition of 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. This long-pending issue, referred by a 5-judge bench in 2005, has wide implications for labor rights and government welfare activities. The hearing will critically examine the 1978 'Bangalore Water Supply' test and assess the impact of newer codes like the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Bench Size9-Judge Constitution Bench
Hearing DatesMarch 17-18, 2026
Key LegislationIndustrial Disputes Act, 1947 (Section 2(j))
Landmark Case ReferredBangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (1978)
Previous Referral Year2005 (by 5-judge bench)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Bench Size: 9-Judge Constitution Bench
  • ›Hearing Dates: March 17-18, 2026
  • ›Target this Data: 9-Judge Constitution Bench hearing on March 17-18, 2026.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court of India.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and the Bangalore Water Supply case (1978).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageMedium

Under which Article of the Constitution is a Constitution Bench of five or more judges of the Supreme Court constituted to hear substantial questions of law?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court case mentioned in the news:

1. The definition of 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, was broadly interpreted by a 7-judge bench in the Bangalore Water Supply case of 1978.

2. A 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court in 2017 referred the matter of defining 'industry' to a larger 9-judge bench.

3. The Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1982, which sought to amend the definition, has been in force since its enactment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

According to the news, on which date in 2026 is the 9-judge Constitution Bench slated to commence hearing on the definition of 'industry'?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is one of the primary issues the 9-judge Supreme Court Bench will adjudicate, as per the news article?

All 15 MCQs ▸
Read original article from The Hindu
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
PolityView Topic MCQs →
PreviousAllahabad HC Directs UP DM & SP on Rule of Law, Upholds Private Worship Rights Without State PermissionNext NPT Regime Faces Double Standards: Iran Faces Sanctions Under IAEA, Israel's 90 Warheads Face No Scrutiny
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Nine-Judge Bench Revisits 'Industry' Definition: Bangalore Water Supply Case (1978) Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court's nine-judge bench is set to rule on the definition of 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, potentially expanding or contracting labour protections for workers in hospitals, educational institutions, and government welfare schemes. This landmark decision could impact millions of employees and reshape industrial relations law.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Refers Challenge to 2023 EC Appointment Law to 5-Judge Constitution Bench

The Supreme Court has referred the challenge to the 2023 law on appointment of Election Commissioners to a 5-judge Constitution Bench after a split verdict. The law replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister in the selection committee, raising concerns about executive dominance and independence of the Election Commission. This case is crucial for exam aspirants as it involves constitutional principles of independence of constitutional bodies and separation of powers.

Polity Current Affairs

Nine-Judge SC Bench Upholds IRC 2020 Industry Definition; 1978 Triple Test Limited to Past Disputes

The Supreme Court's nine-judge bench has settled the law on the definition of 'industry' under the Industrial Relations Code 2020, ruling that the expansive triple test from the 1978 Bangalore Water Supply case applies only to pending disputes under the old Industrial Disputes Act. This judgment is essential for understanding the transition in labour law and the scope of judicial interpretation.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Questions Fairness of PM-Led Panel for CEC Appointment Under 2023 Act

The Supreme Court has questioned whether the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners by a PM-led committee (with a Union Minister and LoP) demonstrates 'fairness'. The Centre defended the process citing constitutional trust, but the court hinted at the need for a more independent mechanism. This is crucial for understanding the debate on institutional independence and the Election Commission's autonomy.

Health & Education Current Affairs

NEET-UG Reform: Two-Stage JEE Pattern Under Active Consideration, Govt Tells Supreme Court

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that it is actively considering shifting NEET-UG to a two-stage format on the JEE (Mains & Advanced) pattern. The final decision will await recommendations from the Nandan Nilekani-led High-Powered Task Force on exam reforms. This is crucial for medical aspirants as it could change the entire exam structure and enhance security against paper leaks.

Polity Current Affairs

Rajya Sabha Passes Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026, Raising Judge Strength to 38

The Rajya Sabha has cleared the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raising the apex court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The Bill replaces a May ordinance, but Opposition MPs questioned the ordinance route and highlighted the persistent diversity deficit in judicial appointments. This is a high-yield Polity topic for Prelims and Mains, with concrete data on SC/ST/OBC/minority/women representation and judiciary infrastructure.

Polity Current Affairs

Article 124(3) Provision for 'Distinguished Jurist' as Supreme Court Judge Remains Unused Since 1950

Article 124(3) of the Constitution allows appointment of a 'distinguished jurist' as a Supreme Court judge, but this provision has never been invoked in 76 years. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan recently questioned this non-use, highlighting the lost opportunity for legal academics to contribute to the judiciary. This is a key constitutional issue for UPSC with potential for both prelims facts and mains analysis.

Polity Current Affairs

Supreme Court Rules NCSC Cannot Issue Binding Directions Under Article 338

The Supreme Court clarified that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has only recommendatory and advisory powers under Article 338, not adjudicatory powers. It cannot issue binding orders in service disputes. This ruling sets boundaries for constitutional commissions under Articles 338, 338A, and 338B.

Start Today's Quiz(15 Qs)