National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Definition

The statutory watchdog body set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to protect and promote human rights in India.

Key points

• Statutory (not constitutional), established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
• Chairperson must be a former Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• Inquires into human-rights violations, intervenes in court proceedings, and inspects jails.
• Powers are largely recommendatory: it can recommend compensation and prosecution but cannot itself punish or award binding relief.
• State Human Rights Commissions operate at the state level.

Why it matters for CAPF

It is the institutional anchor of human-rights protection, central to the rights-versus-security theme and a frequent statement-based topic.

Common confusion

NHRC is statutory, not constitutional; and its findings are recommendatory, not directly enforceable as binding orders.

Parent note

human rights and internal security