What Has Changed Under the Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026

On 11 March 2026, the Delhi Government notified the Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026, to introduce significant changes relating to working hours, and employment conditions, etc.

This Amendment Act was passed by the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi on 9 January 2026, and it received the Presidential assent on 23 February 2026.

Key highlights of Delhi Shops and Establishments Amendment Act:

1. This Amendment Act revises the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954.

2. By inserting new sub cluse 5 in Section 1, the Act will now apply only to shops and establishments employing twenty or more employees, thus excluding small establishments from its regulatory scope.

3. The Amendment modifies definition of “child” in the Act, by changing minimum age limit from “twelfth year” to “fourteenth year”, aiming to strengthen safeguards against child employment.

4. Section 8 is amended, increasing the maximum daily working hours to ten hours, which includes the lunch interval.

5. The proviso to Section 8 has been amended as follows:

   • Maximum weekly working hours: Increased from 54 hours to 60 hours.

   • Overtime cap: Changed from 150 hours per year to 144 hours per quarter.

6. Section 10 has been amended to increase the continuous work limit from five hours to six hours, ensuring adequate rest breaks during extended workdays.

7. Section 11 has been amended to provide a uniform maximum spread-over of twelve hours, replacing earlier differentiated limits for shops and commercial establishments.

8. Section 14 is replaced, by introducing, the following provisions:

   1. No young person will be allowed to work in any establishment during night hours.

   2. Women can only be permitted to work night shifts after their written consent is obtained, allowing them to work between:

      • 9 PM to 7 AM (summer season)

      • 8 PM to 8 AM (winter season)

   3. Mandatory safeguards for women working night shifts include:

      • Written consent prior to assignment of night duty

      • CCTV surveillance, adequate security, and safe transport facilities, including for contract workers

      • Prohibition on employment for six weeks following childbirth or miscarriage

      • Presence of at least two women employees during night shifts

      • Compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

      • Adherence to any additional conditions notified by the Delhi Government.

[Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026, published on 11-3-2026]