Section 2 — Definitions.

2. Definitions.—In this Act, 
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[“the appropriate Government” means, in relation to Trade Unions 

whose objects are not confined to one State, the Central Government, and in relation to other Trade 

Unions, the State Government, and] unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—  

(a) “executive” means the body, by whatever name called, to which the management of the 

affairs of a Trade Union is entrusted; 

(b) “
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[office-bearer]”, in the case of a Trade Union, includes any member of the executive 

thereof, but does not include an auditor; 

(c) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this Act;  

(d) “registered office” means that office of a Trade Union which is registered under this Act as 

the head office thereof; 

(e) “registered Trade Union” means a Trade Union registered under this Act;  

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[(f) “Registrar” means—  

(i) a Registrar of Trade Unions appointed by the appropriate Government under section 3, 

and includes any Additional or Deputy Registrar of Trade Unions; and 

(ii) in relation to any Trade Union, the Registrar appointed for the State in which 

the head or registered office, as the case may be, of the Trade Union is situated;]  

                                                      

1. This Act has been extended to Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 12 of 1962; to Pondicherry by Reg. 7 of 1963 (w.e.f. 1-101963) 

and to Lakshadweep by Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and Sch. 

The Act has been amended in its application to Maharashtra by Maharashtra Act 3 of 1968 and to Madhya Pradesh by Madhya 

Pradesh Acts 28 of 1960 and 16 of 1968. 

2. The words “in the Provinces of India” omitted by Act 42 of 1960, s. 2. 
3. The word “Indian” omitted by Act 38 of 1964, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-4-1965). 
4. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for sub-section (2). 
5.The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, s. 2 and the Sch.                 

(w.e.f. 1-9-1971). 

6. 1st June, 1927, sec Gazette of India, 1927, Pt. I, p. 467. 
7. Ins. by the A.O. 1937. 
8. Subs. by Act 38 of 1964, s. 2, for “officer” (w.e.f. 1-4-1965). 
9. Subs. by Act 42 of 1960, s. 3, for cl. ( f). 

 



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(g) “trade dispute” means any dispute between employers and workmen or between 

workmen and workmen, or between employers and employers which is connected with the 

employment or non-employment, or the terms of employment or the conditions of labour, of 

any person, and “workmen” means all persons employed in trade or industry whether or not 

in the employment of the employer with whom the trade dispute arises; and  

(h) “Trade Union” means any combination, whether temporary or permanent, formed 

primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers or between 

workmen and workmen, or between employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive 

conditions on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes any federation of two or more 

Trade Unions: 

Provided that this Act shall not affect— 

(i) any agreement between partners as to their own business;  

(ii) any agreement between an employer and those employed by him as to such 

employment; or 

(iii) any agreement in consideration of the sale of the goodwill of a business or of 

instruction in any profession, trade or handicraft. 

CHAPTER II 

REGISTRATION OF TRADE UNIONS