Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026 notified; increases spread-over hours and prescribes conditions for employing women during night shift

The Government of National Capital Territory (“NCT”) of Delhi has amend the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954 (“Act”) through Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026 (“Amendment”). The effective date will be notified by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi in the Official Gazette.

The Amendment revises the applicability threshold of the Act, increases flexibility in working hours, permitting employment of women during night hours with their consent and adequate safeguards etc.

Key Amendments:

1. The Act will now apply only to the shops and establishments employing 20 or more employees.
2. The age of child has been raised to 14 years.
3. 3. Increase in daily hours of work from the existing 9 hours to 10 hours.
4. 4. The overtime period of work has now been modified from 150 hours in a ‘Year’ to 144 hours in a ‘Quarter’.
5. 5. The overtime period of work in a week has now been increased to 60 hours from the existing 54 hours.
6. 6. Increase in the continuous period of work  to 6 hours from the previous 5 hours before having interval for rest and meals of at least 30 minutes.
7. 7. Increase in the spread over hours of every person employed in an establishment from 10.5 hours to 12 hours in one day.
8. 8. Women employees are now permitted to work in any establishment between 9.00 PM to 7.00 AM during the summer season and between 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM during the winter Season subject to the following conditions:
   • The written consent of women employee must be taken;adequate CCTV Surveillance, Security and proper Transport facility to the women employees including employees of contractors are provided;
   • not knowingly employ a woman in any establishment during 6 weeks following the day of her confinement or miscarriage.
   • a minimum of two women employees to be employed during the period;
   • abide by the provisions of Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013; and
   • Such other conditions as may be notified in this regard by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Source: Government of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi