DEIB India Updates - June '26 Edition

Discover key legal insights and societal inclusion steps in DEIB India Updates June 2026 Edition.

1. NCW Seeks Action Over Viral Gurugram Comedy Show, Summons Comedian and audience Member

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of a viral video from a comedy show in Gurugram in which comments allegedly promoting sexual coercion and non-consensual behaviour towards women were made and received applause from sections of the audience. Expressing serious concern, the Commission stated that such remarks contribute to the normalisation of attitudes that undermine women’s dignity, consent, and bodily autonomy. In response, the NCW has summoned comedian Pranit More and audience member Himanshu Jangra for questioning. It has also directed the Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) to take appropriate action, submit a report within seven days, and provide details of any FIRs or other actions initiated in connection with the matter. Separately, the Maharashtra Police have reportedly registered an FIR against Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra, and others in relation to the incident.

2. Diversity hiring rises despite slowdown in white-collar recruitment

As white-collar hiring in India has slowed down overall, diversity hiring has grown 21% Year on Year, indicating that organisations continue to focus on inclusive hiring. Foundit reports that women made up 56% of diversity hires, and recruitment of persons with disabilities grew to 12% of all diversity hires. There was increased representation of LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse talent, particularly in IT, consulting and BFSI. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune were standout centres for inclusive hiring. While there are still challenges around hiring, the trend is that organisations are increasingly developing long-term talent strategies around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and understanding how DEI contributes to innovation, resilience of the workforce and organisational performance.

3. International Cricket Council introduces maternity return policy for women cricketers 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled an all-encompassing maternity policy for women match officials, providing them financial security and career continuity during pregnancy and motherhood. Eligible officials will be supported with up to 12 months paid maternity leave, phased return to work support and flexible officiating arrangements. The policy also provides paid leave for pregnancy loss, adoption, surrogacy and partner leave, establishing a new benchmark for gender-inclusive employment in global sport. By institutionalizing equitable parental support, the ICC has strengthened its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) framework, removing structural barriers that often hinder women's long-term participation and leadership in international sport.

4. National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace 2026 Receives National Attention

The Ministry of Women and Child Development organised National Conference on Women's Safety 2026 to strengthen institutional mechanisms for prevention of sexual harassment at workplace and improving women’s safety in public and private sectors. The conference was held to discuss the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and was attended by government departments, industry representatives, Internal Committee members and legal experts. Emphasizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), discussions focused on organisational accountability, legal compliance, gender-sensitive workplace practices, and capacity building to foster equitable, respectful, and harassment-free work environments across sectors.