What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the number of judges in the referring benches (e.g., five-judge in 2005, seven-judge in 2017) or confuse the unenforced 1982 Amendment with the 2020 Industrial Relations Code. A common trap is swapping 'industry' with 'undertaking' or misstating the year of the key case.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: The case under review is the 'Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Case' of 1978. 2. Target this Nodal Body: The nine-judge Constitution Bench is led by Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant. 3. Target this Legal Point: The definition is under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

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Supreme Court's 9-Judge Bench Re-examines 'Industry' Definition Under Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

Q: Under which Act is the definition of 'industry', currently under review by the Supreme Court, primarily provided?

The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, The article explicitly states that the hearing is about defining the word 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, specifically concerning Section 2(j) of that Act.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court hearing on the definition of 'industry': 1. The hearing is being conducted by a nine-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. 2. The Bench is examining the correctness of the test laid down in the 1996 judgment concerning the Social Forestry Department. 3. The matter was most recently referred for consideration by a nine-judge bench by a seven-judge Constitution Bench in 2017. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the test under review is from the 1978 Bangalore Water Supply case, not a 1996 judgment. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions a seven-judge bench in 2017 referred it to a nine-judge bench.

Q: As per the article, in which year did a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court refer the matter of defining 'industry' to a larger bench?

2005, The article clearly states: 'In May 2005, a five-judge Bench of the apex court had referred the matter to a larger Bench on the interpretation of the definition of word "industry"...' The other years correspond to other judicial events mentioned.

Q: What is a primary implication if government social welfare activities are construed as 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act?

It would bring employees of such departments under the protective umbrella of labour laws like dispute resolution mechanisms., If government welfare activities are deemed 'industry', their employees would be considered 'workmen' under the Act, granting them rights related to industrial disputes, retrenchment, and collective bargaining. This is the core legal implication discussed in the article.

PolityCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

17 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:Section 2(j) of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947Bangalore Water Supply Case 1978

Bodies:Supreme Court of India

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.A nine-judge Constitution Bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, has started hearing the long-pending issue of defining 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

2.The core legal issue is the correctness of the 1978 'Bangalore Water Supply' test and whether government social welfare schemes can be considered 'industrial activities'.

3.This hearing is the culmination of a judicial journey spanning over two decades, involving referrals from a three-judge bench (1996/2001 conflict) to a five-judge bench (2005) and then a seven-judge bench (2017).

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Supreme Court has begun a landmark hearing to finally define the scope of 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. This nine-judge bench decision will determine if government-run social welfare activities constitute 'industry', impacting millions of workers' rights and the government's financial liability.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Bench StrengthNine-Judge Constitution Bench

Presiding JudgeChief Justice Surya Kant

Relevant ActIndustrial Disputes Act, 1947

Key Legal SectionSection 2(j)

Landmark Case Under ReviewBangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Case (1978)

1-Minute Revision

›Bench Strength: Nine-Judge Constitution Bench
›Presiding Judge: Chief Justice Surya Kant
›Target this Data: The case under review is the 'Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Case' of 1978.
›Target this Nodal Body: The nine-judge Constitution Bench is led by Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant.
›Target this Legal Point: The definition is under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

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News Snapshot

⚖️

Constitutional Bench

A rare nine-judge Supreme Court bench is hearing a critical issue with wide implications for labour law.

🔍

Definition in Question

The hearing re-examines the definition of 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, a question pending since 2005.

📜

Judicial History

The matter was referred by a five-judge bench in 2005 and a seven-judge bench in 2017 due to its serious implications.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The definition of 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, has been ambiguous since the 1978 Bangalore Water Supply case. Justice Krishna Iyer's expansive interpretation included almost all systematic activities, leading to confusion over whether sovereign and welfare functions of the state are covered. Subsequent attempts to amend the Act in 1982 failed, and conflicting judgments in 1996 and 2001 necessitated this larger bench.

Core Analysis & Implications

The central question is whether government departments running social welfare schemes (like social forestry) are 'industries'. If yes, their employees get protections like collective bargaining and dispute resolution under the Act, increasing government's financial and administrative burden. The bench will also assess the impact of the unenforced 1982 Amendment and the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which redefines 'industry' more narrowly, excluding charitable and sovereign functions.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The Supreme Court's ruling will provide finality to a four-decade-old legal debate, clarifying the employer-employee relationship for a vast section of the public sector. It will directly influence the implementation of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The judgment will also set a precedent on how courts should interpret old statutes in light of subsequent, even if not enforced, legislative intent.

Key Facts at a Glance

Bench StrengthNine-Judge Constitution Bench

Presiding JudgeChief Justice Surya Kant

Relevant ActIndustrial Disputes Act, 1947

Key Legal SectionSection 2(j)

Landmark Case Under ReviewBangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Case (1978)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Under which Act is the definition of 'industry', currently under review by the Supreme Court, primarily provided?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court hearing on the definition of 'industry':

1. The hearing is being conducted by a nine-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

2. The Bench is examining the correctness of the test laid down in the 1996 judgment concerning the Social Forestry Department.

3. The matter was most recently referred for consideration by a nine-judge bench by a seven-judge Constitution Bench in 2017.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

As per the article, in which year did a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court refer the matter of defining 'industry' to a larger bench?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC

What is a primary implication if government social welfare activities are construed as 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act?

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Supreme Court's 9-Judge Bench Re-examines 'Industry' Definition Under Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Constitutional Bench

Definition in Question

Judicial History

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance