Gujarat Passes Law Letting Shops and Businesses Run 24/7

Gujarat's state assembly passed a landmark bill authorizing shops and businesses across the state to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a move that signals one of the most significant overhauls of the state's commerce regulations in recent memory. The legislation clears a long-standing restriction that had confined most retail and commercial activity to fixed operating hours, opening the door for a round-the-clock economy in one of India's most industrially active states.

Proponents of the measure argue that extended operating hours will stimulate economic activity, attract investment, and create additional employment opportunities by allowing businesses to scale operations based on consumer demand rather than government-mandated schedules. The reform positions Gujarat alongside a growing number of Indian states that have liberalized shop-hour restrictions as part of broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business.

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The bill's passage does raise questions about worker protections and labor compliance, issues that critics and trade unions have historically raised whenever such legislation is debated. How the state government plans to enforce safeguards — including mandatory rest periods, overtime compensation, and limits on compulsory night shifts — will be closely watched by labor advocates in the months ahead.

For consumers and businesses alike, the practical impact could be substantial, particularly in urban centers where demand for late-night retail, food services, and logistics has already been growing organically. Entrepreneurs and business associations are expected to respond quickly once the legislation takes effect, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of Gujarat's retail and service sectors.

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