Chapter IV - Complaint

Section 10: Conciliation

Reviewed by Nikhil Gupta and Kajri Singh · Last reviewed 17 July 2026

Allows conciliation only at the aggrieved woman's request before inquiry begins. Monetary settlement cannot be the basis of conciliation.

Act No. 14 of 2013Authority: Internal Committee or Local CommitteeData reviewed on 17 July 2026

In 2 minutes

Allows conciliation only at the aggrieved woman's request before inquiry begins. Monetary settlement cannot be the basis of conciliation.

Statutory text

10. Conciliation.—(1) The Internal Committee or, as the case may be, the Local Committee, may, before initiating an inquiry under section 11 and at the request of the aggrieved woman take steps to settle the matter between her and the respondent through conciliation: Provided that no monetary settlement shall be made as a basis of conciliation. (2) Where settlement has been arrived at under sub-section (1), the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, shall record the settlement so arrived and forward the same to the employer or the District Officer to take action as specified in the recommendation. (3) The Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, shall provide the copies of the settlement as recorded under sub-section (2) to the aggrieved woman and the respondent. (4) Where a settlement is arrived at under sub-section (1), no further inquiry shall be conducted by the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be.

Source transcription: India Code consolidated Act PDF. Check the official source for a live matter.

Rule, authority, record and consequence map

Related Central Rule	Rule 7: Manner of inquiry into complaint
Primary authority	Internal Committee or Local Committee
Core record	Written conciliation request, settlement and implementation record
Compliance consequence	Forced or monetary conciliation is inconsistent with the statute; settlement breaches can revive inquiry or police referral.

Practical example

The committee may record a non-monetary settlement requested by the complainant, but it cannot pressure her into conciliation or base settlement on payment.

Finin2min Q&A

What should an employer or committee do first?

Create the record identified above, check the linked Rule and preserve a dated decision trail. Do not replace the statutory process with an informal HR discussion where the Act applies.

What needs jurisdiction-specific checking?

State rules and notifications, District Officer and Local Committee details, service rules, standing orders, appellate forum and any sector regulator requirements.

← Section 9 POSH hub Section 11 →