January 31st or February 28th? Decoding State-Specific POSH Annual Report Deadlines (CY 2025)

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) mandates that organisations with 10 or more employees file an Annual Report with the District Officer for the preceding Calendar Year (January 1 to December 31).

While the statutory guideline suggests a filing by January 31st of the following year, true compliance hinges on diligently tracking district-specific directives. Non-compliance, even due to a missed local deadline, can attract a penalty of INR 50,000/- for the first offence.

1. Key State/District-Specific Deadlines & Rules (CY 2025 Report)

State/District	Key Update for Annual Report (CY 2025)	Filing Deadline (CY 2025 Report)
Gurugram (Haryana)	Historically set a specific, earlier deadline. Proactive in issuing comprehensive checklists and emphasising compliance through email submission.	February 28, 2026 (for the CY 2025 report). This revised date has been consistently enforced.
Delhi/Other Major Cities	Often issue official circulars closer to the year-end. Many districts now facilitate online submission (e.g., dedicated portals or Google Forms links, as seen historically in New Delhi District).	Generally January 31, 2026, unless a specific local circular is issued by the District Officer.
General Mandate	Stricter enforcement and penalties are being observed across multiple states. Filing the report is non-negotiable, even if there are zero complaints (a 'Nil' report must be submitted).	Varies, but typically January 31, 2026. Always confirm with the local District Officer's office.

Important Note: Filing the POSH Annual Report is a direct responsibility of the Employer, though the Internal Committee (IC) is responsible for preparing the content as per Rule 14.

2. The Critical Multi-Location Compliance Mandate

This is the single most common point of non-compliance for companies operating across India.

Core Rule: An Internal Committee (IC) must be constituted at every administrative unit or office where an organisation has 10 or more employees.

Filing Mandate: Companies with multiple offices across different districts must file a separate Annual Report with the District Officer of EACH district where an IC has been constituted.

Scenario	Compliance Action Required
Head Office in Bengaluru Urban	One Annual Report to the District Officer of Bengaluru Urban.
Branch Offices in Multiple Districts	Separate Annual Reports filed for:
Example 1: Office in Mumbai City + Office in Pune + Office in Gurugram	1. AR to District Officer, Mumbai City. 2. AR to District Officer, Pune. 3. AR to District Officer, Gurugram. (Must meet the earlier Feb 28 deadline)
Example 2: Office in Chennai + Office in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)	1. AR to District Officer, Chennai. 2. AR to District Officer, Coimbatore.

Advice for Multi-Location Companies:

1. Identify Jurisdictions: Clearly map out all offices with 10+ employees and their respective District Officers.

   
   

2. Decentralise IC Reporting: Ensure each location's IC compiles its data, or the central IC segregates data district-wise.

   
   

3. Proof of Submission: For all filings (physical or digital), retain an acknowledgment receipt, registered post proof, or a copy of the submission email.

   
   

By proactively tracking local directives and ensuring site-specific filings, companies can avoid steep penalties and demonstrate a true commitment to a safe workplace.