Why in NEWS
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has been operating without a Chairperson or full membership since April 2025. This vacancy raises concerns about the commission’s ability to effectively safeguard minority rights and address community grievances.
Key Concepts and Definitions
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| NCM | A statutory body established in 1992 to protect the rights of notified minorities. |
| Minority | Defined under the NCM Act as a community notified by the Central Government. |
| Quasi-judicial | Having powers similar to those of a court in certain matters. |
What is the National Commission for Minorities (NCM)?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | Statutory body under the NCM Act, 1992 |
| Original Formation | Began as Minorities Commission via 1978 Ministry of Home Affairs Resolution |
| Composition | Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and 5 Members (nominated by Central Government) |
| Eligibility | Members must belong to one of the six notified minority communities |
| Tenure & Removal | 3-year term; removed by government under specific conditions (insolvency, misconduct) |
| Jurisdiction Excludes | Linguistic minorities (excluded in 1988) |
Who are Recognized Minorities in India?
| Community | Year of Recognition |
|---|---|
| Muslims | 1993 |
| Christians | 1993 |
| Sikhs | 1993 |
| Buddhists | 1993 |
| Parsis (Zoroastrians) | 1993 |
| Jains | 2014 |
Minority Population Share (Census 2001) : 18.8% of total population |
Parsi Population Estimate : Approx. 57,000 |
Constitutional Safeguards for Minorities
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 29 | Right to conserve distinct language, script, or culture |
| Article 30 | Right to establish and administer minority educational institutions |
| Article 347 | Recognition of language spoken by a section of a state’s population |
| Article 350-A | Instruction in mother tongue at the primary stage |
| Article 350-B | Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “MINOR”
M – Membership Vacant
I – Inclusion of 6 religious groups
N – NCM Act, 1992
O – Oversight on minority rights
R – Rights under Articles 29 & 30
Prelims Questions
- Under which Act was the National Commission for Minorities established?
A. The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
B. National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
C. Representation of the People Act, 1951
D. Minority Rights Protection Act, 1991 - Which of the following communities was most recently added to the list of notified minorities?
A. Parsis
B. Buddhists
C. Jains
D. Christians - Which Article of the Constitution ensures the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions?
A. Article 28
B. Article 29
C. Article 30
D. Article 32
Mains Questions
- Critically evaluate the role and relevance of the National Commission for Minorities in present-day India. (GS II – Polity & Governance)
- What constitutional and statutory provisions protect the rights of minorities in India? Discuss their significance with examples. (GS II – Indian Constitution)
Prelims Answer Key
| Question No. | Correct Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | NCM was established under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 |
| 2 | C | Jains were notified as minorities in 2014 |
| 3 | C | Article 30 grants the right to establish and manage educational institutions |
