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Glossary
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| POSH Act | Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013 | Act short name |
| Sexual Harassment | Unwelcome sexual act/behaviour — 5 forms listed in Section 2(n) | PYQ 2021 |
| Aggrieved Woman | Any woman alleging SH at workplace — any age, any employment type | Definition Q |
| Workplace | Any place visited during employment — including off-site, domestic household | Section 2(o) |
| Respondent | Person against whom the complaint is filed; must be at same workplace | Procedure |
| ICC | Employer-constituted committee; ≥10 employees; senior woman presides | Key body |
| LCC | District Officer-constituted; <10 employees; handles unorganised sector | Key body |
| Presiding Officer | Senior woman employee nominated to head ICC (not elected) | ICC composition |
| External Member | Mandatory NGO representative in ICC — ensures independence | ICC requirement |
| Conciliation | Settlement attempt before inquiry; at aggrieved woman's request; monetary alone insufficient | Section 10 |
| Vishaka Guidelines | SC directions in Vishaka case (1997) — binding till POSH Act 2013 | Historical context |
| Hostile Work Environment | Environment created by SH that intimidates, offends, or humiliates | SH definition |
| Confidentiality | Complaint, identity, findings — all confidential; ₹5,000 breach fine | Section 16 |
| Interim Relief | Transfer, leave, supervision restriction during inquiry (Section 12) | Section 12 |
| Malicious Complaint | Intentionally false complaint — warrants action; ≠ unproven complaint | Section 13(3) |
| Annual Report | ICC's yearly case summary to employer + District Officer (Section 21) | Compliance |
| SHe-Box | Online portal for women government employees to file SH complaints | Digital governance |
| CEDAW | UN Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women — basis of Vishaka | International law |
| Service Rules | Employer's conduct rules — must include SH as misconduct (Section 19) | Employer duty |
| Support Person | Allowed to accompany parties in ICC inquiry — lawyers not allowed | Inquiry procedure |
| Quid Pro Quo | "This for that" — implied promise of reward/threat for sexual favour | SH category |
| Bhanwari Devi | Rajasthan government employee whose case triggered Vishaka PIL | Historical origin |
| Section 26 Penalty | ₹50,000 (first); ₹1,00,000 + licence cancellation (repeat non-compliance) | Penalty |
| Domestic Worker | Household help — explicitly covered as aggrieved woman under Section 2(a) | Coverage |
| 60-Day Inquiry | ICC/LCC must complete inquiry within 60 days of receiving complaint | Time limit |
Sources: Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 (Act 14 of 2013); Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan AIR 1997 SC 3011; Apparel Export Promotion Council v. A.K. Chopra (1999) 1 SCC 759; Medha Kotwal Lele v. UoI (2013); Aureliano Fernandes v. State of Goa (2023); Ministry of Women & Child Development Implementation Guidelines; RPSC Mains 2026 Syllabus.