The Odisha government has ordered all higher educational institutions to set up POSH internal committees Odisha, warning they may lose recognition if they fail to comply.
The order, dated April 16, 2026 , was made public on Thursday night. Institutions were told to act immediately and submit compliance reports to the Higher Education Department.
What the order says on POSH internal committees Odisha
All universities, degree colleges and teacher education institutions must constitute internal committees under the Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act). Colleges that admit students through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) must have a functional internal committee to carry out admissions.
Examination permissions for universities will be withheld until a valid internal committee is in place, the order states. The government has tied key academic processes to committee setup to push urgent compliance.
Key dates and actions
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Order date | April 16, 2026 |
| Article publication | April 24, 2026 |
Compliance requirements and campus safety measures
Committees must submit annual reports to the respective Local Complaints Committees (LCCs). Copies of these annual reports must also be sent to the Regional Directors of Education (RDEs).
Institutions are required to ensure proper lighting across campuses and install CCTV cameras in common areas while respecting privacy norms. The order asks colleges to eliminate isolated or unsafe spaces, deploy adequate security personnel and maintain visitor records.
Colleges must provide safe, hygienic facilities for women, including secure hostel arrangements, functional complaint mechanisms and emergency response systems. Committee details, complaint procedures and helpline numbers must be displayed on notice boards and institution websites.
Compliance checks and monitoring
Regional Directors of Education have been directed to ensure strict monitoring and 100 per cent compliance. All institutions were told to submit compliance reports to the Higher Education Department urgently.
The order does not specify formats for the annual report or detailed timelines for setting up committees. Institutions should watch for further instructions from the Higher Education Department and RDE offices.