Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025

The Government of Himachal Pradesh issued a notification on 11 February 2026 publishing the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received the Governor’s assent on 9 February 2026. The amendment introduces certain changes to the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act to improve operational flexibility and ease compliance for businesses. Key Impacts Increase in Overtime Limit: Under Section 7, the permissible overtime limit has been increased from 50 hours to 144 hours per quarter, allowing employers greater flexibility in managing additional work requirements. Registration Threshold Revised: As per the amendment to Section 13, the requirement to obtain registration under the Act will now apply only to establishments employing 10 or more employees. This change reduces compliance obligations for very small establishments. Compliance Note Employers in Himachal Pradesh should review their overtime policies, maintain updated overtime records, and verify whether their establishments fall within the revised registration threshold under the amended provisions.