N. M. Lokhande Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies was established on July 7, 1947 by Bharatratna Late Guljarilal Nanda, the former Prime Minister of India and the then Labour Minister of the then Bombay Province. At inception the name of the institute was “Bombay Labour Institute”. The Government of India passed the Factories Act, 1948 for the regulation of industries and the welfare of workers. At that time there was an acute shortage of trained "Labour Welfare Officers" to be employed by the factories. For this, the Government had constituted a committee in the year 1953 under the chairmanship of Mrs. Hansa Mehta. As per the recommendation of this committee, the Government approved this institute to conduct a full time diploma course of two years. This course was approved to be implemented as a labor studies course under the Bombay University Act in the year 1959. In the year 1970, Bombay University recognized the course as a Master's degree by naming the degree course as “Labour Welfare and Industrial Relations”. Subsequently, the said course was approved by the University of Mumbai as a Master's Degree in "Labour Studies". The Institute was renamed as “Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies” on 31st March, 1976. Later as per Government Resolution dated 19th July, 2008, it was renamed as “Late Narayan Meghaji Lokhande Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies”. A regional branch of this Institute was started in the year 1971 at Nagpur. The name of that institute was “Regional Labour Institute”. Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University has approved the course as Master's Degree in Labour Studies. Department of Industries, Energy and Labour, vide Government Resolution No. MLI-2022/ C.R.158/ Labour-6, dated 01/02/2023 has renamed both the institute at Mumbai and Nagpur as “N.M. Lokhande Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies”.

N. M. Lokhande Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies has been mandated to develop the Trained Human Resource on professional basis through Education, Training and Research for maintaining the Industrial peace, Harmonious Industrial Relations between workers and employers ensuring Labour Welfare and Industrial Productivity in the State of Maharashtra and Achieve the Status of “Centre of Excellence” in the field of Labour Studies.

1. To conduct two years professional post-graduate Master’s Degree course in Labour Studies (MLS) affiliated to Mumbai University and Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University respectively at Mumbai and Nagpur.

2. To provide research opportunities for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Labor studies.

3. To maintain peaceful Industrial Relations and strengthen collective bargaining process, the institute conducts a course on Trade Unions and Industrial Relations for workers of trade unions.

4. To organize various seminars/workshops/training/projects on labour sector related topics in collaboration with International Labor Organization, VV Giri National Labor Institute and other social organizations.

5. To advise and guide in certain subjects to the Government of Maharashtra in the formulation of labour policies.

6. To conduct Economic Leadership Development Programmes in rural areas of Maharashtra through the Centre for Rural Labour Studies and to enhance the participation of various stakeholders for inclusive growth in the development process.

7. To create skilled and professional manpower for the welfare of industrial workers.

Dignity of Labour, Labor Welfare, Professional Education and Training, Industrial Relations, Social Dialogue, Leadership Development, Inclusive Development, Decent Work and Entrepreneurship Development are the 9 core values of the Institute.

Master of Labor Studies (MLS) a two-year full-time post-graduation course in the field of Labour Studies is conducted in the Institute which is affiliated to Mumbai and Nagpur Universities. The total student capacity for this course is 92 with 52 in Mumbai and 40 in Nagpur.

1. Graduation from any stream is the eligibility for this course.

2. Students are selected through competitive entrance examination for admission to this course.

From the year 2022-2023 the following new 3 more activities are being implemented in the Labour Studies curriculum.

From the year 2022-2023 the following new 3 more activities are being implemented in the Labour Studies curriculum.

Add-on modules are specially created and designed with a focus on developing business leadership and enhancing their technical & behaviour competencies to meet changing industry demands.

Assessment Center is conducted to give a holistic feedback to the students through various assessment, activities conducted by Industry experts. This help in developing skills and personality of the students.

Each student of the Institute is provided an alumnus of the Institute as a mentor. The mentor acts a guide to the students giving them appropriate feedback and guidance.

The students of the institute who have obtained their master’s degree from this institute are working in the field of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Development in the various National and International organisations in various capacities starting from executive to C-suite level. Moreover, the alumni of the Institute are also leading in Government and Non-Government settings.

The University of Mumbai had approved the Ph.D. degree course at this institute from April, 1995. Subsequently, the Institute has been granted permanent centre by the University of Mumbai for conducting Ph.D. research in the field of Labour Studies from the year 2012-13. Ph.D. Subjects are selected for the degree which are complimentary to labor and human resource development policies. The role behind this is that necessary research-based inputs can be obtained in the form of information while planning labour policies. So far 6 students have been conferred Ph.D. and presently, 8 students are pursuing Ph.D. from the Institute.

A 9-month full-time Diploma course on Trade Union and Industrial Relations is conducted at the Mumbai center through the institute. The capacity for this course is 25 students. Secondary School Examination (SSC) and experience of working in a trade union is the minimum eligibility for the said course. The admission to this course is subject to the personal interview.

• The Institute organizes various Seminars/ Workshops/ Training session in collaboration with V.V. Giri National Labor Institute (Government of India) from time to time on topics relation to Labour. This facilitates leading exchange of ideas and promotes dialogue between dignitaries from diverse fields of study. This result in providing good suggestions for improving Education and the government for making strategic decisions.

• The Institute organises training sessions for the Officers from the office of labour Commissioner on the Post Appointment and Refresher Training from time to time.

• The Institute organises ‘CHEMSAFETY’ training programmes for Supervisor and Operators of Various factories in collaboration with Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health.

• The Institute has from time to time established study groups in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the constituents of the labour sector as well as study groups regarding health and safety of workers and implemented relevant study projects.

• Economic Leadership Development camps are organized in rural areas of Maharashtra through the Institute's Rural Labour Studies Centre. As such camps are organized in collaboration with local level NGOs/educational institutions, the participation of various social groups in the process of inclusive development is increased. This is complementary to achieving the goal of inclusive growth. Rural Labour Studies Centre publishes occupational papers related to labour issues in Marathi and English.

• Every year two important memorial lectures organises by the institute for labor scholars, researchers & leaders in the field of Labour Studies. One of those lectures, is conducted 9th Feb every year on the occasion of the Memorial Day of Late. Narayan Meghaji Lokhande and the second lecture is conducted on the occasion on the memory of Late. Gulzarilal Nanda, which is also the foundation day of the institute is held on 7th July every year.