⚖️ Chapter 02 · Topic 05 · Constitutional Bodies

NHRC, CIC & Other Commissions

National Human Rights Commission, Central Information Commission, NCW, NCSC, NCST, NCBC — composition, functions, and key facts.

👤 NHRC — National Human Rights Commission

Established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
Composition: Chairperson (retired Chief Justice of India) + members (retired SC judges + experts in human rights)
Appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee: PM + Speaker of Lok Sabha + Home Minister + Leaders of Opposition in both Houses
Tenure: 3 years or 70 years of age, whichever is earlier
Not eligible for reappointment
Removal: by the President on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity (after SC inquiry)

📋 Functions of NHRC

Inquires into complaints of violation of human rights or abetment thereof
Intervenes in proceedings before courts relating to human rights violations
Visits jails and detention centres to study conditions of inmates
Reviews laws, treaties, and international instruments on human rights
Promotes human rights literacy and awareness
NHRC cannot investigate complaints more than 1 year old
NHRC can only make recommendations — it cannot enforce them
NHRC cannot investigate complaints against the Armed Forces
State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) exist at the state level

📄 CIC — Central Information Commission

Established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
Composition: Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) + Information Commissioners (up to 10)
Appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee: PM + Cabinet Minister nominated by PM + Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
Tenure: 5 years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier
Not eligible for reappointment
Functions: hears second appeals and complaints under the RTI Act; imposes penalties on Public Information Officers (PIOs)
RTI Act applies to all public authorities — Central and State governments, PSUs, bodies substantially financed by government
State Information Commissions (SICs) exist at the state level

⭐ RTI Act 2005 — Key Provisions: Any citizen can request information from a public authority. The PIO must respond within 30 days (48 hours if life/liberty is involved). First appeal to the First Appellate Authority within 30 days. Second appeal to the CIC/SIC within 90 days. Penalty for non-compliance: ₹250/day up to ₹25,000. Compensation to complainant possible. Certain exemptions: national security, cabinet papers, personal information, trade secrets, etc.

🏛️ Other Important Statutory Commissions

Commission	Act	Chairperson	Key Function
NCW (National Commission for Women)	NCW Act 1990	Appointed by Central Govt	Safeguard rights of women; review laws; investigate complaints
NCSC (National Commission for Scheduled Castes)	Article 338	Appointed by President	Safeguard interests of SCs; investigate complaints; advise on SC welfare
NCST (National Commission for Scheduled Tribes)	Article 338A	Appointed by President	Safeguard interests of STs; investigate complaints; advise on ST welfare
NCBC (National Commission for Backward Classes)	Article 338B	Appointed by President	Safeguard interests of OBCs; examine complaints; advise on OBC welfare
NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights)	CPCR Act 2005	Appointed by Central Govt	Protect rights of children; examine complaints; review laws
NCMEI (National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions)	NCMEI Act 2004	Appointed by Central Govt	Protect educational rights of minorities

📌 NCSC, NCST, NCBC — Constitutional Status: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is established under Article 338 of the Constitution. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is under Article 338A (added by 89th Amendment, 2003). The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is under Article 338B (added by 102nd Amendment, 2018). These are constitutional bodies — unlike NCW and NCPCR which are statutory bodies.

✅ Revision Checklist

✅ NHRC = Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 = retired CJI as Chairperson
✅ NHRC tenure = 3 years or 70 years = not eligible for reappointment
✅ NHRC cannot investigate complaints more than 1 year old
✅ NHRC cannot investigate complaints against Armed Forces
✅ CIC = RTI Act 2005 = 5 years or 65 years = hears second appeals
✅ RTI response time = 30 days (48 hours if life/liberty involved)
✅ Penalty for non-compliance = ₹250/day up to ₹25,000
✅ NCSC = Article 338; NCST = Article 338A; NCBC = Article 338B
✅ NCW = NCW Act 1990 = statutory body
✅ NCPCR = CPCR Act 2005 = child rights