The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), constituted under the POSH Act, ensures a safe and secure workplace by addressing complaints of sexual harassment. It works to prevent harassment through awareness programs, sensitization workshops, and strict adherence to institutional policies. The committee provides a confidential, fair, and unbiased mechanism for grievance redressal, promoting dignity, respect, and gender equality within the institution.
The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in degree colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai operates under a layered framework combining the POSH Act, 2013, UGC Regulations 2015 (with recent reinforcement directives), and structural shifts introduced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A college campus is legally designated a “workplace,” making an active, credible ICC mandatory for any HEI with 10 or more employees/students.
Rules & Regulations
1) Mandatory gender-balanced composition — The ICC must maintain at least 50% women members, led by a woman Presiding Officer (Associate Professor/Professor level), with 2 faculty members, 2 non-teaching staff, 1 external NGO/legal expert, and 3 student representatives (mandatory when a student is involved, with at least one girl student).
2) Three-year fixed term — ICC members serve a term of three years from the date of nomination.
3) Broad definition of sexual harassment — Covers unwanted physical contact, demands for sexual favors, quid pro quo abuse (trading favors for grades/placements), and hostile environment behavior including cyberstalking and offensive online conduct.
4) 3-month complaint filing window — The aggrieved individual must file a written complaint within 3 months of the incident (or the last incident in a series).
5) 7-day response notice — The ICC must acknowledge the complaint and forward it to the respondent for response within 7 days of receipt.
6) 90-day formal inquiry cap — If conciliation (which cannot involve monetary settlement) fails or isn’t requested, the formal inquiry — with equal opportunity for both parties to present evidence — must be completed within 90 days.
7) Reporting and implementation timelines — The final report must be submitted to the Principal/Management within 10 days of inquiry completion, and the administration must implement disciplinary action within 60 days of receiving it.
8) Institutional non-compliance penalties — Failure to constitute or properly run an ICC can result in fines up to ₹50,000, withholding of UGC development grants, and potential de-recognition/disaffiliation by the University of Mumbai.