POSHCOMPLIANCEFrequently Asked Questions
Answers about the toolkit, POSH compliance requirements, payment, licensing and post-purchase support.
Common Questions
Is this legally reviewed?
The toolkit has been prepared with reference to the POSH Act, 2013 and the Rules made thereunder. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, organisations should obtain independent legal review of key documents before implementation, particularly the POSH Policy, Inquiry Report Template, and Disclaimer.
Will this work for my industry?
Yes. The toolkit covers private companies, NGOs, educational institutions, factories, and service organisations. Industry-specific customisation is covered in the Policy Customisation Guide.
Is this suitable for organisations outside India?
The toolkit is designed specifically for Indian law, the POSH Act 2013 and Rules. It is not suitable for use in other jurisdictions without significant legal adaptation.
Is the toolkit sufficient for POSH compliance on its own?
The toolkit provides templates, registers, policies, guidance notes, and governance documents designed to support compliance under the POSH Act. However, compliance ultimately depends on implementation. Organisations must ensure that an Internal Committee is properly constituted, awareness programmes are conducted, records are maintained, and statutory obligations are fulfilled on an ongoing basis.
How often is this updated?
We review the toolkit annually and after any material change to the Act, Rules, or judicial guidance. Update packs are available to existing customers.
Compliance Questions
What is the minimum IC composition?
An Internal Committee (IC) must consist of at least four members, including a Presiding Officer (a senior woman employee), at least two other employees, and one External Member from an NGO or with relevant legal expertise. Not less than half of the total IC members must be women. Members may hold office for a maximum term of three years.
What happens if we have fewer than 10 employees?
Organisations employing fewer than 10 employees are not required to constitute an Internal Committee. Complaints in such establishments are handled by the Local Committee constituted at the district level. The Foundation Toolkit includes a guidance note explaining the role and scope of the Local Committee.
What is the Annual Report deadline?
The Internal Committee is required to prepare an Annual Report covering the preceding calendar year. In practice, organisations generally follow 31 January of the following year as the operational deadline for submission to the relevant authority. The Foundation Toolkit includes an Annual Report Submission Guidance Note covering the complete submission process.
Does the POSH Act apply to startups and small businesses?
Yes. The POSH Act applies to every organisation in India with 10 or more employees, regardless of age, stage, or sector.
A startup with 10 employees has the same obligations as a large corporation: a written POSH policy, a properly constituted Internal Committee, awareness and training activities, and annual reporting obligations.
Organisations with fewer than 10 employees are not required to constitute an Internal Committee. Complaints in such establishments are handled by the Local Committee constituted at the district level.
Smaller organisations are subject to the same statutory obligations once they reach the employee threshold. Establishing a structured compliance framework early often makes ongoing compliance significantly easier to manage.
What is an External Member and why is it required?
The External Member is a mandatory member of every Internal Committee under Section 4(2)(c) of the POSH Act.
Unlike the other IC members, the External Member is not an employee of the organisation. They must be nominated from an NGO or association committed to the cause of women, or be a person with relevant legal knowledge or experience.
Their presence helps ensure that the Internal Committee has an independent perspective and is not influenced solely by internal organisational interests, hierarchies, or conflicts of interest.
An Internal Committee that lacks a properly appointed External Member is not validly constituted under the Act, even if all other composition requirements are met.
The External Member should be formally appointed and their tenure, responsibilities, and participation appropriately documented.
Can one External Member serve on multiple Internal Committees?
Yes. The POSH Act does not prohibit an External Member from serving on multiple Internal Committees, provided they are able to discharge their responsibilities independently, avoid conflicts of interest, and participate meaningfully in committee proceedings. Each appointment should be documented separately.
What happens if we do not submit the Annual Report on time?
Failure to comply with annual reporting obligations may attract penalties under Section 26 of the POSH Act, including fines of up to ₹50,000 for a first offence.
Repeated non-compliance may expose the organisation to higher penalties and regulatory consequences.
A missing Annual Report also creates a documented compliance gap that may be scrutinised during inspections, complaints, audits, or litigation.
The accepted operational deadline is 31 January of the following year, covering the preceding calendar year.
Purchasing & Downloads
What formats are the documents in?
All documents are provided in Microsoft Word (.docx) and Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats. Every file is fully editable, allowing you to customise the content to suit your organisation's requirements.
Can I access the documents on mobile?
Yes. The toolkit documents are supplied in standard Office formats and can be accessed on desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices using compatible applications.
Is there a refund policy?
Please refer to our Refund Policy page for details regarding eligibility, timelines, and the refund process.
Can I share the toolkit within my organisation?
Yes. The toolkit may be shared within your organisation for internal compliance purposes. However, the licence does not permit resale, redistribution, or use across separate legal entities. Full licensing terms are included with every toolkit tier.
Updates & Support
What if a new law or Rule is passed after I buy?
We periodically review the toolkit and issue update packs whenever there are material changes to applicable laws, Rules, or significant judicial developments. Existing customers are eligible to purchase update packs at a discounted rate.
Do you offer legal advice or help with active complaints?
No. The toolkit is a compliance documentation and governance resource designed to support implementation of the POSH Act. It does not constitute legal advice, legal representation, investigation support, or assistance with active complaints, inquiries, disciplinary proceedings, or litigation.
Guidance on when to seek professional legal support is included in the Foundation Toolkit.