The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has recently launched an enhanced version of the SHe-Box portal (https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/) to improve compliance under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).
This upgraded platform now serves as a centralized repository for complaint management and Internal Committee (IC) details across organizations in India.
Its purpose can be understood through several key objectives and features:
- Single‑window complaint filing: It enables any woman—whether in the public or private sector, including formal, informal, or unorganized work—to register complaints of workplace sexual harassment online
- Secure & confidential handling: The portal masks the identity of the complainant—only the IC/LC Chairperson can see complaint details—to preserve confidentiality
- Direct delivery to Internal/Local Committees (IC/LC): Complaints registered in the portal are routed automatically to the relevant Internal committee of the complainants workplace. If a workplace committee is not registered, the portal notifies nodal officers to ensure timely registration
- Complaint tracking: Complainants receive a tracking ID and can monitor the status of their complaint in real-time online
- Centralized monitoring & data repository: The portal maintains records of all ICs/LCs and complaint statistics across India, allowing government authorities to track filings, disposal, and pending cases
- Enhancing employer accountability: Employers must register their IC details, upload compliance reports, and ensure timely committee action to fulfill PoSH obligations
Salient Features
- Digital access across sectors: Available to women in public, private, organized, and unorganized sectors
- Bi-/multilingual support: Provides resources and compliance information in Hindi and English; regional-language support remains limited
- Time-bound inquiry enforcement: PoSH mandates the IC/LC investigate and resolve a complaint within 90 days, enforced via the portal’s monitoring dashboards
- Employer compliance management: Organizations upload annual PoSH compliance reports, training records, and IC member details via the portal
⚖️ Supreme Court Direction on Mandatory Disclosure
In the case of Aureliano Fernandes Vs State of Goa & Ors, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed that all establishments with more than 10 employees must ensure their Internal Committee (IC) and Nodal Officer details are uploaded to the SHe-Box portal, in line with the requirements of the POSH Act.
🏢 What’s New for Private Sector Organizations?
With the recent update, private organizations can now register on the SHe-Box portal. While registration is not currently mandatory, it is strongly recommended as a proactive compliance measure and to ensure readiness for future regulatory expectations.
📝 How to Register on the SHe-Box Portal: Step-by-Step
- Visit the SHe-Box Portal
- Select “Private Head Office Registration”
- Fill in all required details including:
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- Nodal Officer’s name and contact
- Presiding Officer/Legal Officer/Compliance Officer details
- Upload the necessary organizational documents
- Submit the form
Private-Head-Office-User-Manual – The reference guide (User Manual) to register on the SHe-Box portal.
📩 What Happens After Registration?
- A “Registration Successful” notification will appear on the screen.
- You will receive an acknowledgment email confirming your submission.
- Within 7–10 working days, login credentials will be shared via email.
🔄 Post-Login: Key Action Points
Once you receive login access:
- Update the Internal Committee (IC) details for your head office.
- If your organization has branch offices, navigate to the ‘Workplace’ section in the portal and:
-
- Add each branch office
- Upload branch-specific IC details separately
Keeping this information up to date ensures complete and transparent compliance with POSH Act requirements.
In Summary:
| Purpose | Description |
| Accessible Complaint Filing | Single‑window access for workplace harassment complaints |
| Confidentiality & Secure Routing | Identity masked, complaints sent to IC/LC only |
| Complaint Tracking | Real-time status monitoring via tracking ID |
| Centralized Admin & Oversight | Dashboards for government nodal officers and compliance tracking |
| Streamlining Employer Compliance | Registration of ICs, annual reporting, training uploads |
Frequently asked questions:
Why Should You Register?
Even though registration is not mandatory yet, it’s a best practice that helps your organization:
- Ensure regulatory alignment
- Strengthen POSH governance
- Enhance trust and transparency
- Be prepared for audits and inspections
For more details please refer here – https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx
Should all companies, institutions, factories etc. register?
Registration on the SHe-Box portal is not mandatory for private organizations at the moment. However, it is strongly recommended by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), especially in light of the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment in the Aureliano Fernandes vs. State of Goa & Ors case. This judgment emphasizes better compliance and visibility of Internal Committees (ICs) under the PoSH Act.
Is it mandatory to register?
Currently, registration on the SHe-Box portal is not legally mandatory for private organizations. However, in the interest of transparency and good governance, and to align with evolving compliance expectations, it is advisable to register.
In which all states is it mandatory to register?
1. Maharashtra (Including Thane & Mumbai)
The District Women & Child Development Officer, Mumbai City, through Notification No. DGIPR/2025‑26/480, has mandated all private establishments in Mumbai (and similarly in Thane district) with 10+ employees to register their Internal Committee (IC) details on the SHe‑Box portal by 15 May 2025. Non‑compliance may attract penalties under Section 26 of the POSH Act (up to ₹50,000)
2. Delhi (NCT)
On 12 June 2025, the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of NCT Delhi issued a public notice making SHe‑Box registration compulsory for all public and private organizations. The requirement took effect immediately from the date of the notice No later than 1 July 2025—as highlighted in subsequent regulatory communications
3. Other Regions – Encouraged, Not Yet Mandatory
- Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and several districts in UP have issued advisory notices urging employers with 10+ staff to register their IC on SHe‑Box—but no formal legal mandate exists yet
- Similarly, other states (e.g., Rajasthan, Karnataka) are strongly recommending registration, although as of now it is not enforced by statutory notification
Should I register for each of my branch offices?
Yes, when registering your Head Office, you must also provide details of all branch offices and their respective Internal Committees (ICs) under the “Workplace Details” section. This ensures compliance across all locations.
By when should I register?
There is no official deadline announced yet for private organizations. However, considering the increasing focus on PoSH compliance and digital tracking of ICs, it is recommended to complete registration at the earliest.
For assistance with POSH compliance, IC training, or SHe-Box registration, our team is happy to support you. Write to us at connect@cecureus.com
