Karnataka's Chief Secretary, Dr Shalini Rajneesh IAS, has issued Circular MuKa/13091045/2026 (dated 11 August 2026) directing all District Collectors to close a major POSH Act compliance gap across the state.
The Numbers: Of ~81,000 organisations in Karnataka with 10+ employees, only ~26,000 (32%) have formed an Internal Committee (IC) and registered on the SHe Box portal. That leaves 55,000 organisations non-compliant — despite Karnataka already ranking #1 nationally for SHe Box registrations.
What's Required:
Constitute an IC under Sections 4–5 of the POSH Act, 2013
Register IC details on the SHe Box portal (shebox.in)
Complete both within one month of the order
Deadline: 11 September 2026
Enforcement: District Collectors are now designated District Nodal Officers, personally accountable for compliance in their districts. The order is routed through Secretary (Labour) Smt Salma K Fahima IAS, so district Labour Department machinery will drive verification on the ground. Collectors must submit compliance reports once the exercise concludes.
Action for Employers:
Confirm employee headcount (10+ triggers mandatory compliance)
Verify if an IC already exists; if not, appoint a senior woman employee as Presiding Officer
Complete SHe Box registration with full member details before 11 September
Retain documentary proof — inspections are expected
Risk: Non-compliance now carries direct exposure, given the explicit district-level accountability structure and Chief Secretary-level scrutiny.