Student Safety / Odisha Colleges Ordered to Update C‑Box Portal for Female Student Safety

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: In a significant move to strengthen safety measures for female students in colleges and universities, the Odisha Higher Education Department has issued strict directives mandating compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

The directive follows a communication from the Union Government, urging states to ensure effective implementation of the law and regular updates on the C‑Box portal.

The portal serves as a centralized platform to monitor Internal Committees (ICs) formed in educational institutions to address sexual harassment complaints.

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According to the department’s order, all universities, government and private colleges, and related offices must immediately update details of their Internal Committees on the C‑Box portal.

Nodal officers have been instructed to monitor the portal regularly and ensure that information regarding IC members, training sessions, and awareness programs is uploaded without delay.

The directive also emphasizes timely resolution of complaints within the legally mandated period. Institutions must submit annual reports to the concerned authorities and upload them on the portal.

Additionally, details of Internal Committees must be prominently displayed in common areas of campuses and offices to ensure transparency and accessibility for students and staff.

The Higher Education Department has asked registrars of universities, principals of colleges, and other officials to review the current status of compliance and send detailed reports to the department at the earliest.

Officials stated that the move is aimed at reinforcing accountability and ensuring that every institution provides a safe environment for female students.

With stricter monitoring and mandatory reporting, the department hopes to eliminate lapses in the implementation of POSH guidelines and strengthen trust among students.