Covered establishments in Bihar that existed before 21 November 2025 and still need to register under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, can apply on or before 31 December 2026 without paying the registration fee.
The Bihar Government announced the extension through S.O. 243 dated 30 October 2026, published in the Bihar Gazette (Extraordinary), Patna No. 1329, under reference 01/OSHC-08/2026. The notification is effective from 1 July 2026, the date the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Bihar) Rules, 2026 came into force.
What changed?
Section 3 of the Code deals with registration of establishments. Under Rule 3(10)(1) of the Bihar Rules, establishments that existed before the Code commenced originally had 60 days from its commencement to apply without paying a registration fee. The State Government used its power under Rule 93 to extend that fee-free window through 31 December 2026.
The Gazette cites transitional arrangements, including setting up a registration portal and notifying registering authorities, as well as requests from industry associations. It also directs establishments covered by the Code to ensure registration within the extended period.
Which establishments qualify?
A covered Bihar establishment that was already operating in October 2025 and still needs to register can apply by 31 December 2026 without paying the registration fee. A new establishment that came into existence in December 2025 remains subject to the fee schedule under Rule 3, even if it applies before the same deadline.
What employers should do
Review each Bihar location for coverage under the Code, the applicable registering authority, and its current registration status.
Keep evidence of when the establishment came into existence and any existing registration certificate. Where a registration is already on record, confirm the applicable process before submitting a fresh application.
Submit pending applications for eligible establishments by 31 December 2026. Keep the dated filing acknowledgement and follow up for the registration certificate.