Forms XXI explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Form XXI is the application for a contractor licence, its renewal and its amendment, including a common or single licence. Form XXII is the licence proforma. Form XXIII is the experience certificate a contractor issues to contract labour on demand.
Form XXI (rules 87, 88(1) and 96(1)): one online application on the Shram Suvidha Portal with three parts: grant, renewal, amendment. Form XXII (rules 89(1) and 90(2)): the licence itself, with a table of fee and maximum contract labour. Form XXIII (rule 100): experience certificate issued on demand, with 17 fields.
The rules behind the forms
Chapter on contract labour in the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 contains the licensing rules. Our articles on rules 87-88, rules 89-90, rules 91-92 and rules 100-101 cover them. In outline:
| Rule | Subject | Key points as printed |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | Application within a State | Online on the Shram Suvidha Portal in Form XXI |
| 88 | Single licence for more than one State or all India | Apply in Form XXI; the State Government is consulted electronically and, if no response within thirty days, consultation is deemed complete; approve or disapprove within forty-five days, failing which deemed no objection and licence auto-generated; copy to State Government; valid for five years |
| 89 | Form and conditions | Licence in Form XXII; non-transferable; contract labour on any day not above the maximum in the licence; fees non-refundable; wage rates not below the Code on Wages, 2019 rates or agreed rates |
| 90 | Procedure | Bank guarantee of Rs. 1000 for each contract labour to be employed, with higher amounts of Rs. 10 crore, Rs. 15 crore and Rs. 20 crore for one lakh or more, one lakh fifty thousand or more and two lakh or more contract labour; fee table from nil (up to 49) to Rs. 40,000 |
| 91 | Renewal | Apply at least thirty days before expiry but not earlier than ninety days; additional fee of twenty-five per cent if late; authority to renew within seven days or deemed issued |
| 96 | Amendment | Apply in Form XXI; amended licence within seven days or deemed amended; proportionate security returned or additional security deposited |
| 100 | Experience certificate | Contractor issues in Form XXIII, on demand |
The Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own OSH rules and forms apply. For help with the licence application, see our labour law compliance service.
Form XXI: application for licence, renewal and amendment
Headed "Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment", the form is an online application summary. A note says: "This is an online application summary applied on Shram Suvidha Portal or designated Portal."
Grant of licence (including common or single licence).
- Establishment profile: Labour Identification Number and date; acknowledgement number and date of application.
- I. Particulars of establishment: name; address (head office and corporate office, with email); telephone; activity as per National Industrial Classification (all applicable); details of selected NIC code; nature of work in main establishment; identifier (e-sign or digital sign).
- II. Details of employer: full name and relationship with establishment; address; email; mobile.
- III. Particulars of contract labour to be employed or employed (if licence is required work-wise): locations of work sites; name of works; NIC activity; dates of commencement and completion; name of establishments in which contract labour is or is proposed to be employed; name, address and email of the site in-charge. Then: maximum number of workmen proposed to be employed on any date; amount of licence fee with transaction ID; amount of security deposit with transaction ID.
- IV. Common licence (if applying): for each type of establishment, name and address, nature of work and NIC activity, date of commencement or probable date of completion of the permanent establishment, and maximum contract labour employed or proposed.
- V. Single licence (if applying): names of States in which establishments are situated, name of each work, maximum labour, date of commencement, permanent establishment or probable completion date, and registration number if obtained.
It is signed by the contractor with e-sign or DSC.
Application for renewal. Licence number and date; LIN and PAN; name and address of establishment; date of expiry of the previous licence; whether the licence of the employer or contractor was suspended or revoked; details of fees paid with the e-payment receipt (amount and date); e-sign or digital sign.
Application for amendment. Licence number and date; LIN and PAN; name and address; details for which amendment is sought: (a) maximum number of contract labour presently employed, with a note that when there is an increase the additional fee or security deposit required under law shall be deposited; (b) fee payment details; (c) other details requiring amendment, with supporting documents uploaded; e-sign or digital sign and date.
Rule 91(2) says renewal applications go on the portal at least thirty days before expiry but not earlier than ninety days before. A late renewal attracts the twenty-five per cent additional fee under rule 91(3).
Form XXII: proforma of licence
Headed "See rule 89(1) and rule 90(2)". It carries the licence number, registration number and date of registration, and states that the licence is granted to the named person for the premises known as and situated at a stated place, for stated nature of work, for use as an establishment within the limits stated, "subject to provisions of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, and the rules made thereunder". A table follows with serial number, period of issue, valid for, maximum number of contract labour on any one day, fee, date of payment, excess fee for late payment, date of payment, and signature of the issuing authority. A second table, "Amendments", has year when amended, maximum contract labour on any one day, date of payment of amendment fee, date of payment and signature. It ends with the e-sign or digital sign of the designated authority.
A drafting slip. Rule 90(3) says that where an issued licence has expired, on the request of the applicant "in FORM-XXII" the authority may adjust the security deposit against the new application. Form XXII is the licence proforma, and the application form is Form XXI. Rule 90(2) is the other reference printed on Form XXII, and it deals with security amounts rather than the form of licence. The printed references should be read with care.
Another slip: the fee table in rule 90(4) ends with "exceeding 20001 contract labour", leaving the band at exactly 20,001 unclear. Confirm with the licensing authority.
Form XXIII: experience certificate of contract labour
Headed "See rule 100", and issued by the contractor on demand to contract labour "giving details of the period, work performed, experience gained in various fields". Fields marked with an asterisk are to be struck off if not applicable:
- Name of contractor or employer; 2. LIN or PAN; 3. email; 4. mobile; 5. nature and location of work; 6. name of principal employer; 7. LIN or PAN of the principal employer; 8. email of the principal employer; 9. mobile of the principal employer; 10. name of the labourer; 11. UAN or Aadhaar number; 12. mobile number; 13. serial number in the employee register; 14. registration number, date and name of the Board where the building or other construction work is registered as a beneficiary; 15. period of employment; 16. designation; 17. work performed. It carries the seal and signature of the contractor.
Item 13 links to the employee register (Form XIII), so the contractor's registers must be in order to issue the certificate. Item 14 applies only to building or other construction workers. The form has no field for rate of wages or reason for leaving, and rule 100 does not require them.
Practical examples
Example 1. A contractor supplies workers to plants in two States. It applies in Form XXI for a single licence, listing the States and maximum labour for each. The State Government is consulted electronically, and approval or deemed no objection follows within forty-five days.
Example 2. A licence expires in 100 days. The contractor files the renewal part of Form XXI no earlier than ninety days before expiry and no later than thirty days before, to avoid the additional fee.
Example 3. A worker leaves after eighteen months. On demand the contractor issues Form XXIII with the period, designation and work performed.
Compliance checklist
- Keep NIC code, LIN, PAN and site details ready before applying.
- Compute the security deposit and fee before filing, and keep transaction IDs.
- Diarise the renewal window: not earlier than ninety days, not later than thirty days before expiry.
- Apply for an amendment before increasing the maximum contract labour.
- Maintain Form XIII so Form XXIII can be issued promptly.
Need help with contractor licensing?
A licence application involves forms, fees, security and timing. Our team can prepare the Form XXI application, plan the renewal calendar and set up the experience certificate process. Start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- Form XXI is the single online form for grant, renewal and amendment of a contractor licence, including common and single licences.
- Form XXII is the licence itself, with a table of fee and maximum contract labour.
- Form XXIII is the experience certificate, issued on demand by the contractor.
- Renewal applications go in between ninety and thirty days before expiry.
- Printed references on Forms XXI and XXII and in rule 90 contain slips; verify with the licensing authority.
Read next
- Rules 87-88: contractor licence application and single licence
- Rules 89-90: licence terms and procedure for issue of licence
- Rules 100-101: experience certificate and prohibition of contract labour
- How to apply for a contractor licence under the contract labour law
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.