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SHINE App: Railways’ Harassment Reporting Tool for Women Staff

9 March 20261 min read
NATIONAL AFFAIRSSHINE App: Railways’HarassmentReporting Tool forWomen Staff9 March 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

On Women’s Day, the Railways rolled out a mobile app letting its women employees report workplace sexual harassment digitally.

Key facts

  • App name: SHINE (Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment); date: 8 March.
  • Integrated with HRMS; accessed via the Employee Self Service (ESS) portal.
  • Complainant identity stays confidential; complaints reach the right authorities quickly.
  • Others, such as visitors, contract staff and trainees, can be reported for by someone else.

Legal framework

  • Vishakha Guidelines (1997): Supreme Court directions that mandated Internal Complaints Committees.
  • POSH Act, 2013: statutory framework for such complaints.

Exam angle

  • Expansion of SHINE.
  • Vishakha: 1997, ICCs.
  • POSH Act year: 2013.

Test yourself

1. What does SHINE, launched by Indian Railways, stand for?

SHINE expands to Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment.

2. Which 1997 Supreme Court guidelines led to Internal Complaints Committees at workplaces?

The Vishakha Guidelines (1997) mandated ICCs.

3. Through which portal can railway employees access the SHINE app?

SHINE is integrated with HRMS and accessed via the ESS portal.