Why in News
The Central Government appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), filling a post that had remained vacant since the tenure of the previous chairperson ended.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Harjit Singh Grewal succeeds former NCM Chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura.
- He is the second Sikh leader in succession to head the statutory body.
- The appointments were notified under Sections 3 and 4 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
- He hold office for a term of three years.
Interconnected Concept: National Commission for Minorities
- The National Commission for Minorities is a statutory body (not constitutional), established under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
- It functions under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- Composition: one Chairperson, one Vice-Chairperson, and five Members, nominated by the Central Government from persons of eminence, ability and integrity.
- Notified minorities under Section 2(c) of the NCM Act: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains (Jains were notified in 2014).
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Act | National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 |
| Nature of body | Statutory (not constitutional) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
| Composition | 1 Chairperson + 1 Vice-Chairperson + 5 Members |
| Tenure | 3 years |
| Notified minority communities | Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, Jains |
| Relevant Section (notified minorities) | Section 2(c) |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Confusing Point | Clarification |
|---|---|
| NCM vs NCSC/NCST | National Commission for Minorities is a statutory body (Act of Parliament); NCSC (Article 338) and NCST (Article 338A) are constitutional bodies — don’t mix the categories. |
| NCM vs NHRC | National Commission for Minorities protects rights of notified minorities; NHRC (under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993) has a broader human rights mandate covering all citizens. |
| Number of notified minorities | Six communities are notified — Jains were added later, in 2014, and are often missed. |
| Tenure of NCM members | 3 years — not to be confused with the 5-year tenure of Finance Commission members or other bodies. |
Practice MCQs
- The NCM is constituted under which legislation?
a. Constitution of India, Article 338
b. National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
c. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
d. Minorities Welfare Act, 2004
Ans: b. National Commission for Minorities is a statutory body set up under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. - Which Ministry administers the National Commission for Minorities?
a. Ministry of Home Affairs
b. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
c. Ministry of Minority Affairs
d. Ministry of Law and Justice
Ans: c. National Commission for Minorities functions under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. - How many communities are currently notified as minorities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992?
a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 7
Ans: c. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains are the six notified minority communities. - What is the tenure of the Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities?
a. 3 years
b. 5 years
c. 6 years
d. Till the age of 65 years
Ans: a. Members of the National Commission for Minorities, including the Chairperson, hold office for a term of three years. - Which community was notified as a minority in India relatively later, in 2014?
a. Bahais
b. Jains
c. Jews
d. Anglo-Indians
Ans: b. Jains were notified as a minority community under the National Commission for Minorities Act in 2014.
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