Now we are on Chapter 15 of your original syllabus. We will not limit this chapter to just general information about NHRC; we will cover law, structure, appointment, tenure, removal process, powers, limitations, SHRC, Human Rights Courts, Rajasthan, and current 2026 office holders in full.

1. What are Human Rights?

Human Rights are rights that:

• Are available to every person merely by virtue of being human.

They primarily relate to:

• Life
• Liberty
• Equality
• Dignity
• Security
• Freedom from exploitation

In India, the constitutional basis for human rights protection is primarily:

• Fundamental Rights + Directive Principles of State Policy + Judicial Interpretation

And the institutional basis is:

• Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

2. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

This Act provides for:

• National Human Rights Commission — NHRC
• State Human Rights Commission — SHRC
• Human Rights Courts

3. Establishment of NHRC

National Human Rights Commission — NHRC

NHRC was established in India on:

• 12 October 1993

Legal Basis:

• Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

4. Main Objective of NHRC

The objective of NHRC is:

• Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

Human rights specifically include rights related to:

• Life, Liberty, Equality and Dignity of the individual

5. Headquarters of NHRC

• New Delhi

6. Current Structure of NHRC — 2026

According to Section 3 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, the Commission's structure consists of a Chairperson and specified Members. According to the current NHRC composition page:

Chairperson

• Justice V. Ramasubramanian

Members

• Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi
• Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani
• Shri Priyank Kanoongo

7. Woman Member

In the current NHRC:

• Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani

is a member.

It is also important that among the human rights expert members under the Act:

• At least one woman

is required.

8. Structure of NHRC — For Examination

According to the current statutory framework:

Chairperson

• A person who has been:
• Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Judge of the Supreme Court

One Member

• Who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court

One Member

• Who has been a Chief Justice of a High Court

Three Members

• From among persons having:
• Knowledge or practical experience

in human rights matters.

Among these three:

• At least one woman

is required.

9. Deemed Members — Very Important

The heads of certain other national commissions are included in NHRC as:

• Deemed Members

According to the current NHRC, these include:

• National Commission for Backward Classes
• National Commission for Minorities
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
• National Commission for Women
• Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

10. Secretary-General

In NHRC:

• Secretary-General

is the:

• Chief Executive Officer

of the Commission.

Currently:

• Shri Piyush Goyal

is the Secretary-General and CEO; he assumed office on 24 July 2026.

11. Appointment Mechanism of NHRC

The Chairperson and Members of NHRC are appointed by:

• The President of India

But the President does not appoint directly on his own choice.

For this:

• Selection Committee

is constituted.

12. Selection Committee

The committee primarily consists of:

• Prime Minister — Chairperson
• Speaker of Lok Sabha
• Home Minister
• Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
• Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
• Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

13. Tenure of NHRC Chairperson

According to current law:

• 3 years

or:

• Age of 70 years

whichever is earlier.

14. Can the Chairperson be re-appointed?

Yes.

According to current law:

• Chairperson is eligible for re-appointment.

But:

• Cannot remain in office after the age of 70 years.

15. Tenure of Member

A Member is also appointed for:

• 3 years

and cannot remain in office after:

• 70 years

of age.

16. Government Employment After Leaving Office

NHRC Chairperson/Member:

• Is not eligible for further employment under the Government of India or any State Government after leaving office.

This provision is an important safeguard related to the independence of the Commission.

17. Death/Resignation/Vacancy of Chairperson

If the office of Chairperson becomes vacant due to:

• Death
• Resignation
• Other reasons

then:

• The President may authorize any Member to act as Acting Chairperson.

Similarly, in the absence/leave of the Chairperson, the President may authorize any Member to perform their functions.

18. Power to Remove from NHRC

The Chairperson/Member can be removed by:

• The President

But:

• Misbehaviour or incapacity

as grounds for removal require:

• Supreme Court inquiry

as per constitutional/statutory procedure.

19. Key Functions of NHRC

Now the most important part.

Section 12

NHRC:

1. Inquiry into Human Rights Violations

• Can conduct:
• Inquiry

into complaints of human rights violations.

2. Suo Motu

• If the Commission receives information about human rights violations through:
• Media reports, information or other means

then it can initiate:

• Suo Motu

proceedings.

3. Intervention in Court Proceedings

• In judicial proceedings related to human rights violations:
• The Commission may intervene with:
• Court's permission

4. Inspection of Jail/Detention Institutions

• NHRC can inspect:
• Jails, detention centres and other institutions

Purpose:

• To study the human rights situation of prisoners/detainees.

5. Review of Safeguards

• Reviews:
• Human Rights Safeguards

provided by the Constitution and laws.

6. Impact of Terrorism on Human Rights

• The Commission can review circumstances related to:
• Impact of terrorism on human rights

7. International Instruments

• Studies:
• International Treaties and Instruments

relating to human rights and suggests effective implementation measures.

8. Research

• Can conduct:
• Research

on human rights topics.

9. Human Rights Awareness

• Works to increase:
• Public awareness

regarding human rights.

10. Encouragement to NGOs

• Encourages efforts of:
• NGOs and Institutions

working in the field of human rights.

20. Inquiry Powers of NHRC

During inquiry, NHRC has:

• Some powers of a Civil Court

Examples:

• Summoning witnesses
• Examination on oath
• Calling for documents
• Evidence on affidavits
• Calling for public records
• Inquiry through Commission/offficer

etc.

21. What Can NHRC Do?

After inquiry, the Commission can:

• Give its recommendations to the Government/Authority

Examples:

• Recommend compensation to the victim
• prosecution
• disciplinary action
• Other remedial measures

22. The Most Important Limitation

NHRC's recommendation:

• Generally not binding

That is:

• NHRC does not punish any officer itself.

It:

• Gives recommendations to the Government/concerned Authority

23. An Important Limitation of NHRC

Under the Protection of Human Rights Act:

• NHRC generally does not conduct parallel inquiry in cases pending before the concerned State Commission or other statutory commissions.

Similarly:

• There is a significant statutory limitation on NHRC's jurisdiction over incidents older than one year.

24. Matters of Armed Forces

This is a very important RAS question.

NHRC's power in human rights complaints relating to Armed Forces is:

• Specifically limited

NHRC:

• Can seek report from the Central Government

and:

• Can give its recommendations.

But does not exercise direct investigation powers like in ordinary cases.

25. NHRC and Armed Forces

Part–B : State Human Rights Commission

26. SHRC

Full Name:

• State Human Rights Commission

For protection of human rights at the state level:

• Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

provides for State Human Rights Commission.

27. Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission

Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission — RSHRC

The State Human Rights Commission in Rajasthan works on:

• Complaints and matters related to human rights violations

28. Current RSHRC Chairperson — 2026

According to Rajasthan Government's official website:

• Justice G. R. Moolchandani

is the current:

• Chairperson, Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission

29. Who Can be the Chairperson of SHRC?

For the Chairperson of State Human Rights Commission:

• Person who has been Chief Justice of a High Court or a Judge of a High Court

is eligible, according to statutory amendments.

30. Appointment of SHRC

Chairperson/Members of State Human Rights Commission are appointed by:

• Governor

But:

• On the recommendation of the Selection Committee

31. State Selection Committee

Primarily:

• Chief Minister

as Chairperson of the Selection Committee.

It includes:

• Chief Minister
• Speaker of Legislative Assembly
• Minister in-charge of Home Department
• Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly

32. Jurisdiction of SHRC

State Human Rights Commission is particularly significant in:

• Matters related to State subjects

But:

• Its jurisdiction is limited in matters related to Union List.

33. NHRC and SHRC — Comparison

34. NHRC vs SHRC — Biggest Trap

Part–C : Human Rights Courts

35. Human Rights Courts

Protection of Human Rights Act provides for:

• Human Rights Courts

Purpose:

• To facilitate speedy trial of offences arising from human rights violations

36. Who Constitutes Human Rights Courts?

State Government:

• For each district
• With the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court:
• May designate any Court of Session as
• Human Rights Court

37. Special Public Prosecutor

For Human Rights Court:

• Special Public Prosecutor

may be appointed.

They should have:

• At least 7 years of experience as an Advocate

38. RAS Trap

Part–D : Human Rights and the Constitution

39. Fundamental Rights

The most important constitutional basis for human rights protection:

• Part III — Fundamental Rights

40. Article 14

• Equality before law.

41. Article 19

• Right to freedom.

42. Article 21

Life and Personal Liberty

This is one of the:

• Most important constitutional provisions

for human rights protection.

The Supreme Court has expanded the interpretation of Article 21 to include:

• Dignified life
• Privacy
• Clean environment
• Legal aid
• Speedy justice

among many other rights.

43. Article 23

• Prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour (Begar).

44. Article 24

• Protection of children from employment in hazardous industries.

45. Directive Principles

• Directive Principles of State Policy

related to human dignity and social justice are also an important part of the human rights framework.

Part–E : International Basis of Human Rights

46. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UDHR

Adopted on:

• 10 December 1948

by the United Nations General Assembly.

47. Human Rights Day

Every year:

• 10 December

is observed as:

• Human Rights Day

48. UDHR and India

India:

• Was among the countries that played a significant role in the creation and support of the UDHR.

49. Major International Covenants on Human Rights

ICCPR

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

ICESCR

• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Part–F : 2026 NHRC Official Updates

🔥 Current Update 1

In 2026, NHRC Chairperson is:

• Justice V. Ramasubramanian

According to NHRC's official website, he assumed office on:

• 30 December 2024

🔥 Current Update 2

NHRC organized a one-day Conference of State Human Rights Commissions, Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors on:

• 18 May 2026

🔥 Current Update 3

In 2026, NHRC held an Open House Discussion on:

• Digital Arrest Scams

related to human rights protection issues. This event was held on:

• 9 June 2026

and proceedings were published on 24 June 2026.

🔥 Current Update 4

In 2026, NHRC addressed:

• Heat Waves and their Mitigation in Urban Areas

through the Core Group on Environment, Climate Change and Human Rights.

🔥 Current Update 5

In 2026, NHRC held a Core Group meeting on:

• Food Adulteration in India

in the context of Right to Food and Nutrition.

Part–G : Most Important Facts about NHRC for RAS

Part–H : RAS Prelims — 25 Likely Questions

🔥 RAS SUPER TRAP SET

RAS Mains — 10 Marks

Answer Framework

Introduction

• Human rights are the foundation of dignity, liberty and equality of the individual in democratic governance.

Institutional Basis

• Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

Role of NHRC

• Inquiry into complaints
• Suo Motu cognizance
• Jail inspection
• Review of human rights safeguards
• Awareness
• Research
• International instruments
• Encouragement to NGOs

SHRC

• Human rights protection at state level
• State-specific issues
• Accountability of state administration

Human Rights Courts

• Provision for speedy trial.

Limitations

• Recommendations generally non-binding
• Limited powers in Armed Forces matters
• One-year limitation
• Jurisdictional restrictions
• Resource and implementation challenges

Reforms

• Stronger compliance mechanism for recommendations
• Filling vacancies promptly
• Increasing investigation capacity
• Digital complaint monitoring
• Institutional strengthening of SHRC

Conclusion

• Human Rights Commissions are not merely complaint redressal institutions in a democracy, but the guardians of state accountability, individual dignity and constitutional governance.