The National Human Rights Commission
The statutory body set up in 1993 that inquires into human rights violations and recommends remedies.
What the paper can ask
- Constituted 12 October 1993; headquarters New Delhi.
- Chairperson must be a former CJI or Supreme Court judge; five members plus ex-officio heads of national commissions.
- Members are appointed by the President on a committee headed by the Prime Minister with the Home Minister, Speaker and opposition leaders.
- First chairperson Justice Ranganath Misra; current chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian (since December 2024). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask
The founding Act and year, the chairperson's qualification and the recommendatory nature of its powers are asked.
The full story
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was constituted on 12 October 1993, first by ordinance and then under an Act passed that year. It inquires into complaints of human rights violations by the state or negligence by public servants, visits jails, studies treaties and promotes human rights education.
Test yourself
1.Under which Act was the National Human Rights Commission of India established?
Correct. The NHRC was established on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (amended in 2019), in line with the Paris Principles of 1991.
Not quite. The NHRC was established on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (amended in 2019), in line with the Paris Principles of 1991. It goes into your error book.