India: Health & Safety

Creating safe and respectful workplaces for women is essential for ensuring equality, dignity and participation in the workforce. To support this goal and strengthen the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), the Government of India has embraced digital solutions.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (“DGCA”) has introduced a significant reform to India’s aviation safety oversight framework through General Safety Circular No. 01 of 2025 dated 19 June 2025 (the “Circular”)...

The June 2026 edition of our Employment Law Newsletter covers significant regulatory developments and key judicial pronouncements across India's evolving labour and employment law landscape. During the month, the Central Government and several State Governments introduced important reforms aimed at balancing ease of compliance with enhanced worker protection.

In a significant development aimed at strengthening workplace safety within India’s legal fraternity, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued an extensive set of guidelines calling for mandatory adoption of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) compliant mechanisms across bar associations, law offices, State Bar Councils, and the BCI itself

In a significant step toward strengthening workplace safety and institutional accountability, the Government of Nagaland has formally notified a Secretariat-level Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

In December 2025, a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury delivered a significant judgment in Airports Authority of India & Ors. vs Praveen VS[1] (WA No. 149 of 2025). The Court clarified the scope of Section 10(4) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), holding that conciliation under the Act bars only further inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) or Local Committee, and does not preclude an employer from initiating independent disciplinary proceedings under applicable Service Rules if circumstances so warrant.

On 16 December 2025, the Government of Gujarat promulgated the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 ("Ordinance")...

Constructive exits are an increasingly significant concern in the Indian employment context. The judiciary has taken a stricter approach while deciding an issue pertaining to exit which is, in substance, dismissals dressed up as resignation.

In a notable development, the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh has passed the Uttar Pradesh Dookan Aur Vanijya Adhishthan (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam Bill, 2025 (Bill).