Rules 1-3 and 5 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
These four rules set the opening framework of the Rules and fix the allowances of committee members. Rule 1 gives the short title and the start date, Rule 2 defines seven terms, Rule 3 sets the allowance of the outside Member of the Internal Committee, and Rule 5 sets the allowances of the Chairperson and Members of the Local Committee. The allowance figures are the 2013 figures of the Rules as notified. If you manage a committee or an NGO nomination, our labour law compliance service can help you set up the payments.
The Rules came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. Rule 3 (for section 4(4)): the outside Member of the Internal Committee is entitled to two hundred rupees per day plus travel reimbursement, paid by the employer. Rule 5 (for section 7(4)): the Local Committee Chairperson gets two hundred and fifty rupees per day; other eligible Members two hundred rupees per day plus travel; the District Officer pays. These are the 2013 figures.
Source and names
This article follows the copy of the Rules consulted (the Rules as notified on 9 December 2013, G.S.R. 769(E)); check the current Rules before relying on any figure. The Rules implement the Act, which we cite from the consolidated text consulted (it shows one amendment, Act 23 of 2016, with effect from 6 May 2016). The Rules copy is a web-page print, and its printing slips are flagged below. We use "Internal Committee" and "Local Committee".
Rule 1: short title and commencement
Rule 1(1) says: "These rules may be called the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013." Rule 1(2) says: "They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette." The notification is dated New Delhi, 9 December 2013, and is made under section 29 of the Act; see our article on sections 29 and 30.
Rule 2: definitions
Rule 2 begins "In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires". It then defines seven terms.
| Clause | Term | Meaning as printed |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | "Act" | The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (14 of 2013) |
| (b) | "complaint" | The complaint made under section 9 |
| (c) | "Complaints Committee" | The Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be |
| (d) | "incident" | An incident of sexual harassment as defined in clause (n) of section 2 |
| (e) | "section" | A section of the Act |
| (f) | "special educator" | A person trained in communication with people with special needs in a way that addresses their individual differences and needs |
| (g) | Other words | Words and expressions used in the Rules and not defined, but defined in the Act, have the meanings assigned in the Act |
Three of these matter in later rules. "Complaints Committee" is the term used throughout the Rules for the committee, so a reference to it in Rule 7 or Rule 9 means either the Internal Committee or the Local Committee. "Incident" points to section 2(n), which has its own post: What Constitutes Sexual Harassment, Section 2(n). "Special educator" is used in Rule 6 on complaints on behalf of a woman with a mental incapacity; see Rule 6.
Rule 3: allowance of the outside Member of the Internal Committee
Rule 3 is headed "Fees or allowances for Member of Internal Committee" and implements section 4(4), which says the Member from the non-governmental organisations or associations "shall be paid such fees or allowances ... by the employer, as may be prescribed". See our article on section 4.
Rule 3(1) says the Member appointed from amongst non-government organisations (the Rule's wording) "shall be entitled to an allowance of two hundred rupees per day for holding the proceedings of the Internal Committee and also the reimbursement of travel cost incurred in travelling by train in three tier air condition or air conditioned bus and auto rickshaw or taxi, or the actual amount spent by him on travel, whichever is less".
A second paragraph, which carries no sub-rule number in the copy, says: "The employer shall be responsible for the payment of allowances referred to in sub-rule (I)." The "(I)" is a printing slip for "(1)".
The figure of two hundred rupees per day is the 2013 figure of the Rules as notified; it is not a current figure unless the current Rules say so.
Rule 5: allowances in the Local Committee
The copy prints this rule with the number "1." in place of "5" (the gazette scan prints the same), and its heading reads "Fees or allowances for Chairperson and Members of Local Committee". It implements section 7(4); see our article on sections 7 and 8.
| Person | Allowance (2013 figures) | Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Chairperson of the Local Committee | Two hundred and fifty rupees per day for holding the proceedings | Not mentioned in sub-rule (1) |
| Members other than those nominated under section 7(1)(b) and (d) | Two hundred rupees per day for holding the proceedings | Reimbursement of travel cost by train in three tier air condition, or air conditioned bus and auto rickshaw or taxi, or the actual amount spent, whichever is less |
A third paragraph, with no sub-rule number in the copy, says: "The District Officer shall be responsible for the payment of allowances referred to in sub-rules (I) end (2)." The "end" is a printing slip for "and", and "(I)" for "(1)". The copy also reads "sub-section (I) of section 7" for "(1)".
Note who pays: for the Internal Committee, the employer (Rule 3); for the Local Committee, the District Officer (Rule 5). The funds for the District Officer's payments are dealt with in section 8.
What the rules do not say
Rule 3 does not say how often the allowance is paid or in what mode, and Rule 5(1) does not mention travel for the Chairperson. Rules 3 and 5 do not mention the "person familiar with the issues" alternative in section 4(2)(c) by name; Rule 3 speaks of the Member appointed from amongst non-government organisations. We state nothing beyond the text. The allowances in the Rules apply to the persons stated; the Rules print no allowance for the Presiding Officer or employee Members of the Internal Committee.
An example
Karuna Welfare Trust nominates a representative as the outside Member of Orchid Logistics Private Limited's Internal Committee. The committee sits on three days in a month. Under Rule 3 as notified in 2013, the Member is entitled to two hundred rupees for each such day and to the travel reimbursement described, and the employer is responsible for paying. In a district nearby, the Chairperson of the Local Committee sits on two days; under Rule 5 as notified in 2013 she is entitled to two hundred and fifty rupees per day, paid through the District Officer.
Need help with committee payments and records?
Employers often ask how to document the outside Member's attendance and payments. Our labour law compliance team can help you set up a simple attendance and payment record that matches Rule 3, and check the current Rules for any change in the amounts.
Key takeaways
- The Rules came into force on publication in the Official Gazette; the notification is dated 9 December 2013.
- Rule 2 defines seven terms, including "Complaints Committee" (Internal Committee or Local Committee) and "special educator".
- Rule 3 (2013 figures): outside Member, two hundred rupees per day plus travel; employer pays.
- Rule 5 (2013 figures): Chairperson two hundred and fifty rupees per day; eligible Members two hundred rupees per day plus travel; District Officer pays.
- The copy prints Rule 5 as "1." and has other printing slips.
Read next
- Section 4 of the POSH Act, 2013: constitution of the Internal Committee
- Sections 7 and 8 of the POSH Act, 2013: Local Committee composition, tenure, grants and audit
- Rule 4 of the POSH Rules, 2013: person familiar with issues relating to sexual harassment
- Internal Complaints Committee (ICC): Mandatory Formation
Disclaimer: Based on a consolidated text of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 showing one amendment (Act 23 of 2016, 6 May 2016) and on a copy of the Rules of 2013 as notified on 9 December 2013, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendments, State rules and notifications, and the position under the Labour Codes in force from 21 November 2025 should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.