Nifty 50 firms see 4.6% jump in POSH complaints as awareness grows

Companies in the Nifty 50 index reported a total of 1,327 complaints under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act for FY26, marking a 4.6% increase over the 1,269 cases filed in the prior year. The upward trend follows a 6.3% rise in FY25 and is attributed by experts to heightened awareness, mandatory annual sensitisation programmes, and the publicity of incidents like the TCS Nashik case. Analysts note that the growth may also indicate greater employee confidence in internal grievance mechanisms, especially among women who feel their concerns will be addressed.

Larger listed firms, subject to SEBI disclosure rules, show higher reporting rates, while smaller companies and the informal sector continue to lag behind in compliance. The nature of complaints is shifting, with digital harassment via messaging platforms and peer-level misconduct becoming more prevalent, creating new evidentiary challenges for HR and complaints committees. Advocates stress that despite progress in the formal sector, many districts still lack designated officers and properly constituted local committees, limiting access for informal workers.