📘 Human Rights Commission – Full Details Description
🔹 Introduction
The Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established to protect and promote human rights — the rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in international covenants.
In India, the apex body is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
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🔹 Objectives
1. To investigate human rights violations by public servants or negligence in prevention of such violations.
2. To promote awareness and literacy about human rights among citizens.
3. To encourage efforts of NGOs and other institutions working in this field.
4. To advise the government on policy matters related to human rights.
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🔹 Composition of NHRC
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) consists of:
Chairperson: A former Chief Justice of India.
Members:
1. One member who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court.
2. One member who is or has been the Chief Justice of a High Court.
3. Two members having knowledge or practical experience in human rights.
Ex-officio Members: Chairpersons of the following national commissions —
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
National Commission for Women (NCW)
National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
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🔹 Appointment and Tenure
Appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:
Prime Minister (Chairperson)
Tenure: 3 years or until the age of 70 years (whichever is earlier).
Eligible for reappointment for another term.
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🔹 Functions of NHRC
1. Inquiry: Into complaints of violation of human rights.
2. Intervention: In court proceedings involving human rights issues.
3. Visits: To jails or detention places to study living conditions.
4. Review: Constitutional or legal safeguards.
5. Promotion: Of research and awareness on human rights.
6. Recommendations: To the government on measures for protection of human rights.
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🔹 Powers of NHRC
Powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
Can summon witnesses, receive evidence, and demand documents.
Can recommend compensation to victims.
However, its recommendations are not binding on the government.
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🔹 State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC)
Each state can have its own State Human Rights Commission with:
Chairperson: Retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
Members:
One serving or retired judge of a High Court or District Judge.
One member having practical experience in human rights.
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Celebrated on 10th December every year, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
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🧠 50 MCQs on Human Rights Commission (With Answers)
1–10
1. NHRC was established in which year?
👉 1993
2. Under which Act was NHRC formed?
👉 Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
3. Who appoints the Chairperson of NHRC?
👉 President of India
4. What is the tenure of the NHRC Chairperson?
👉 3 years or up to 70 years of age
5. The Chairperson of NHRC is usually a —
👉 Former Chief Justice of India
6. NHRC is a —
👉 Statutory Body
7. Human Rights Day is celebrated on —
👉 10th December
8. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with Human Rights?
👉 Not specific; related to Fundamental Rights (Part III)
9. The headquarters of NHRC is located at —
👉 New Delhi
10. NHRC has how many ex-officio members?
👉 Four
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11–20
11. NHRC Chairperson is appointed on recommendation of a committee headed by —
👉 Prime Minister
12. Who was the first Chairperson of NHRC?
13. What is the main function of NHRC?
👉 Protection and promotion of human rights
14. Which body has similar functions at the state level?
👉 State Human Rights Commission
15. NHRC can investigate —
👉 Violation of human rights by public servants
16. NHRC’s recommendations are —
👉 Advisory in nature
17. Who is the current (2025) Chairperson of NHRC?
👉 (Search-based — changes periodically)
18. The NHRC can intervene in —
👉 Court proceedings involving human rights
19. Which UN document inspired the Human Rights Act?
👉 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948
20. Which international body adopted the UDHR?
👉 United Nations General Assembly
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21–30
21. When was the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act passed?
👉 2019
22. NHRC has the power of —
👉 Civil Court
23. Who among the following is an ex-officio member of NHRC?
👉 Chairperson, National Commission for Women
24. Which section of the Act defines “Human Rights”?
👉 Section 2(d)
25. Human Rights are based on the principle of —
👉 Equality and dignity
26. Who can lodge a complaint before NHRC?
👉 Any individual or NGO
27. The NHRC submits its report to —
👉 President of India
28. Which body reviews NHRC’s annual report?
👉 Parliament
29. Can NHRC inquire into matters older than one year?
👉 No
30. Which Commission deals with SCs and STs?
👉 NCSC & NCST
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31–40
31. The State Human Rights Commission is constituted by —
👉 Governor of the State
32. Chairperson of State Human Rights Commission must be —
👉 Former Chief Justice of High Court
33. NHRC’s main limitation is —
👉 It cannot enforce its recommendations
34. NHRC was amended to reduce the Chairperson’s age limit from —
👉 70 years to 70 years (clarified, tenure fixed at 3 years)
35. The Protection of Human Rights Act extends to —
👉 Whole of India
36. Who can remove the NHRC Chairperson?
👉 President of India
37. What is the annual budget source of NHRC?
38. Which body ensures women’s rights?
👉 National Commission for Women
39. When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted?
40. What does UDHR stand for?
👉 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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41–50
41. Who can make a complaint to NHRC?
👉 Any person on behalf of a victim
42. Which article of the UN Charter deals with human rights?
43. The NHRC’s motto is —
👉 “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (Let everyone be happy)
44. NHRC reports are laid before —
👉 Parliament
45. NHRC cannot investigate —
👉 Private disputes without state involvement
46. Which commission investigates human rights violations in J&K?
👉 Jammu & Kashmir Human Rights Commission (till 2019)
47. Who is the Secretary-General of NHRC?
👉 Appointed by Central Government
48. Can NHRC visit prisons?
👉 Yes
49. The main UN body promoting human rights globally is —
👉 UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
50. Which ministry oversees NHRC?
