Defining 'Industry': Supreme Court Enlists Nine-Judge Bench for Landmark Hearing

The Supreme Court has scheduled a critical hearing on defining 'industry' within the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947, assigned to a nine-judge Constitution bench. This significant examination will commence on March 17, addressing longstanding interpretations and potential impacts on employment laws.

Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, has urged all parties involved to prepare written submissions by February 28, 2026. The nine-judge panel aims to provide clarity on whether previous tests, like those in the Bangalore water supply case, adequately define 'industry'.

Additional scrutiny will consider if social welfare activities by government bodies can be classified as industrial activities. This examination stems from past judicial inconsistencies, prompting a more extensive review to resolve pressing disputes between employers and employees.