National Commission for Women (NCW)

Definition

The statutory body set up to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommend remedial measures and look into individual complaints and rights violations.

Key points

• Statutory (not constitutional) body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990; it became operational in 1992.
• Composition: a Chairperson, five members and a Member-Secretary nominated by the Central Government, with members drawn from fields of relevance to women.
• Functions include reviewing laws affecting women, inspecting jails and women's institutions, inquiring into deprivation of women's rights, and advising the Government on policy.
• It has the powers of a civil court during inquiries but its recommendations are advisory and not binding.
• States have parallel State Commissions for Women.

Why it matters for CAPF

The 1990 statutory basis, the advisory nature and the women's-rights mandate are standard items, with a clear social-justice and human-rights dimension that CAPF emphasises.

Common confusion

The NCW is statutory, not constitutional (unlike the SC, ST and OBC Commissions under Articles 338, 338A and 338B); its recommendations are advisory; do not confuse it with the NHRC.

Parent note

human rights and internal security