India’s workforce is experiencing unprecedented levels of digital overwork. Long working hours, constant connectivity, and the expectation of being “always available” have blurred the boundary between professional and personal life. With burnout rates rising and employees increasingly reporting mental-health strain, the debate on healthier work–life balance has gained renewed urgency.
Against this backdrop, the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 has drawn national attention. Introduced in the Lok Sabha, the bill proposes giving employees a statutory right to ignore work-related calls, emails, and messages after office hours. By seeking to regulate after-hours digital communication and mandating employer compliance through an Employees’ Welfare Authority, the bill attempts to address a structural problem created by today’s digital work culture.
This article aims to analyze the legal framework proposed under the Right to Disconnect Bill, evaluate its feasibility as a private member’s bill, and assess its potential implications for labour rights, employer obligations, and India’s evolving digital work environment. Through this examination, the article positions the bill within the broader conversation on workplace mental health and the future of labour regulation in India.
THE PROBLEM OF DIGITAL OVERWORK IN INDIA
India’s labour landscape has undergone a dramatic shift with the expansion of digital platforms, remote work models, and real-time communication tools. While these developments have enhanced productivity, they have also normalized a culture of constant availability. Employees are routinely expected to respond to emails, messages, and calls well beyond designated working hours, making it difficult to disconnect from work even during personal time, weekends, or holidays.