Can Indians Truly Limit Their Work Week to Only 4 Days? The Labour Ministry Reveals All.

Think about a scenario where you have three days off instead of two every week. Sounds like a fairy tale, no? However, for some workers in India, that fairy tale is already turning into a reality.

As the global trials of 4-day work week are very positively received, the Indian public is beginning to wonder: Could India be next? The Ministry of Labour and Employment is giving a very cautious ‘yes’ as their final verdict.

The 4-Day Work Week, Simplified

The Ministry pointed out that companies could opt for the 4-day workweek under the new Labour Codes, but they have to follow a few key guidelines:

• Work day of up to 12 hours
• 4 working days in the week, with 3 days off being paid holidays
• 48 hours is the maximum for weekly work hours
• Any hours worked beyond 12 per day would have to be paid at the overtime rate which is double the regular rate
• To put it another way, 12 hours won't be the total time apart from your desk—breaks, meals, and little intervals count in those hours, giving workers flexibility while keeping the overall weekly hours under control.

What Came Out of India’s Labour Reforms

The 21st of November 2025 marked the date when India adopted the new Labour Codes after simplifying and amalgamating 29 previous labour laws:

• The Wages Code—prompt payments and just compensation
• Code of Industrial Relations—simplified regulations for labor unions and workers
• Social Security Code—improved health, insurance, and retirement benefits
• Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code—more secure workplaces

The changes result in increased transparency, safety, and fairness. Workers are still able to take advantage of the above by choosing to work in a flexible manner.

Welcoming News for Contractors and Gig Workers

The above changes are not limited to the permanent workforce only:

• Temporary employees now enjoy the same privileges as full-timers
• Gratuity is now granted after one year of service instead of five years
• Gig and platform workers are granted official recognition
• Welfare benefits are available through Aadhaar-linked accounts
• Consequently, millions of workers have access to health, social security, and financial safety nets.

Will Everyone Have a 4-Day Weekend?

Not just yet. The law allows it but doesn’t make it mandatory. It will be up to companies to decide according to their business needs, industry, and workforce.

This, however, should be seen as a big leap ahead. It signals that India is taking steps towards a flexible, fair, and contemporary work culture, where employees might have more time to rest and recharge, thus avoiding burnout and having more life outside work.

The Conclusion

A four-day work week is not automatic for every Indian worker, but the groundwork is finally done. The Indian workforce can soon enjoy a better work-life balance with flexible hours, fair salaries, and legally acknowledged gig workers—without having to cope with the loss of wages.