Rule 4 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.
Rule 4 is a short rule with one job: it says what the Act means by "a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment" when the District Officer nominates two Members of the Local Committee under section 7(1)(c). The person must have expertise on the issues and may be a social worker with at least five years' experience or a person familiar with labour, service, civil or criminal law. If you are making or reviewing a nomination, our labour law compliance service can help.
Rule 4 is made for the purpose of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 7, the Local Committee. A person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment shall be a person who has expertise on those issues and may include (a) a social worker with at least five years' experience in the stated field, or (b) a person familiar with labour, service, civil or criminal law. The Rules print nothing separate for the same words in section 4(2)(c) (the Internal Committee).
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. The Rules implement the Act, cited from the consolidated text consulted (it shows one amendment, Act 23 of 2016, with effect from 6 May 2016); later amendments and notifications should be checked. We use "Internal Committee" and "Local Committee"; the copy of the Act still prints the older names in the Chapter headings and some definitions.
The text of Rule 4
Rule 4 is headed "Person familiar with Issues relating to sexual harassment". It reads: "Person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment for the purpose of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 7 shall be a person who has expertise on issues relating to sexual harassment and may include any of the following:-"
(a) "a social worker with at least five years' experience in the field of social work which leads to creation of societal conditions favourable towards empowerment of women and in particular in addressing workplace sexual harassment;"
(b) "a person who is familiar with labour, service, civil or criminal law."
The Rule is the answer to the words "as may be prescribed" in section 7(1)(c), and to head (b) of the list in section 29(2), "nomination of members under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 7". See our article on sections 29 and 30.
Where the rule fits in section 7(1)(c)
Section 7(1)(c) provides for "two Members, of whom at least one shall be a woman, to be nominated from amongst such non-governmental organisations or associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment, which may be prescribed". The District Officer nominates, and Rule 4 tells the District Officer what kind of person counts as familiar with the issues. The provisos to clause (c) add that at least one nominee should preferably have a background in law or legal knowledge and that at least one shall be a woman belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes or a notified minority community. See our article on sections 7 and 8.
Reading the rule closely
The core test: expertise
The first requirement is that the person "has expertise on issues relating to sexual harassment". Everything else in the Rule is an illustration of how that expertise may show.
"May include any of the following"
The words "may include" mean the two limbs are examples rather than an exhaustive list. A person who meets neither limb word for word is not automatically excluded by the Rule, but the Rule itself gives no other example, and we do not suggest any.
Limb (a): the social worker
| Element | Text |
|---|---|
| Who | A social worker |
| Experience | At least five years' experience |
| Field | Social work "which leads to creation of societal conditions favourable towards empowerment of women and in particular in addressing workplace sexual harassment" |
Two points. The five years are "at least", so five is the floor. And the experience is tied to a field of work described by its purpose: empowerment of women and, in particular, addressing workplace sexual harassment. A generic five years in social work, without that connection, would not fit the wording as printed.
Limb (b): knowledge of law
Limb (b) covers "a person who is familiar with labour, service, civil or criminal law". It uses the word "familiar", not "qualified" or "enrolled". The Rule does not require a legal degree, a licence to practise or a number of years. The Rule names four branches: labour, service, civil and criminal law. We say nothing on which specific laws these include.
What Rule 4 does not cover
The Rules print nothing separate for the words "a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment" in section 4(2)(c), the outside Member of the Internal Committee. Rule 4 is expressly "for the purpose of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 7". So for the Internal Committee, the Act's own words in section 4(2)(c) apply: "one member from amongst non-governmental organisations or associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment". Whether an employer may look to Rule 4 as a guide for its own outside Member is a matter on which the text is silent, and we do not say. See our article on section 4. Rule 3 (allowance) speaks of the Member appointed from amongst non-government organisations; see Rules 1-3 and 5.
The Rule also does not say how the District Officer is to verify expertise or experience, what documents are needed, or whether a person must be registered anywhere. No form or fee is printed.
Practical points for a District Officer's office or a nominee
- Keep a short written note of the basis on which a nominee is treated as having expertise: for a social worker, the work done and the years; for a person familiar with law, the field of familiarity.
- Where a nominee is chosen from a non-governmental organisation or association, note that Rule 4 deals with the alternative limb, the person familiar with the issues; the NGO limb is not defined in the Rule. Our post on NGO registration explains what an NGO is in general terms.
- Check the current Rules for any change; the copy consulted shows no amendment and we assert nothing about one.
An example
The District Officer of a district is nominating two Members of the Local Committee. One candidate, Latika, has worked for six years with a women's support group and her work has included helping working women with workplace complaints. Under limb (a) she has "at least five years' experience" in the field described. The second candidate, Mahesh, is an advocate who has practised in service and labour matters. Under limb (b) he is "familiar with labour, service ... law". The District Officer records the basis for each nomination. Since at least one of the two must be a woman under section 7(1)(c), Latika's nomination satisfies that condition as well.
Need help with nominations and committee set-up?
Whether you are an employer choosing an outside Member or an organisation proposing a nominee, clear records help. Our labour law compliance team can help you prepare the note on expertise and align it with sections 4 and 7.
Key takeaways
- Rule 4 is made for section 7(1)(c), the Local Committee.
- The person must have expertise on issues relating to sexual harassment and may include a social worker with at least five years' experience or a person familiar with labour, service, civil or criminal law.
- The list uses "may include", so the two limbs are examples.
- The Rules print nothing separate for section 4(2)(c).
- No documents, forms or fees are printed in the Rule.
Read next
- Sections 7 and 8 of the POSH Act, 2013: Local Committee composition, tenure, grants and audit
- Section 4 of the POSH Act, 2013: constitution of the Internal Committee
- Rule 6 of the POSH Rules, 2013: who may file a complaint on behalf of the aggrieved woman
- ICC Composition Requirements: Presiding Officer, Members
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.