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The National Human Rights Commission of India, an independent statutory body, was established on:
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Answer: Option C — 12 October 1993
Detailed Solution
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established on 12 October 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance, 1993, which was later replaced by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Background:
- India had signed international human rights covenants and wanted an independent body to protect human rights at home.
- The Paris Principles, adopted by the United Nations, set standards for national human rights institutions.
- The NHRC was set up to meet these standards.
Legal basis:
- The ordinance was issued on 28 September 1993.
- The NHRC came into being on 12 October 1993.
- The Protection of Human Rights Act was passed by Parliament later and came into force with effect from the date of the ordinance.
First Chairperson:
Justice Ranganath Misra, a former Chief Justice of India, was the first Chairperson.
Functions:
- Inquiring into complaints of violation of human rights by public servants, or negligence in preventing such violation.
- Intervening in court proceedings involving allegations of human rights violations.
- Visiting jails and other institutions to study the condition of inmates.
- Reviewing safeguards for human rights in the Constitution and laws.
- Spreading human rights literacy and encouraging the work of NGOs.
Powers:
- While inquiring into complaints, the NHRC has the powers of a civil court.
- It can recommend compensation, prosecution and other relief, but its recommendations are not binding.
Human Rights Day:
10 December is observed every year as Human Rights Day, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
Accreditation:
The NHRC has been accredited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, though its status has been reviewed at times.
Headquarters:
The NHRC is located at Manav Adhikar Bhawan in New Delhi.
Why not the other options?
- ✗10 December is Human Rights Day.
- ✗28 September 1993 is the date of the ordinance.
- ✗15 August 1993 does not match.
Quick tip
Remember: NHRC established on 12 October 1993 (Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993); first Chairperson Justice Ranganath Misra.
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Constitutional & Statutory Bodies — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Constitutional & Statutory Bodies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers bodies set up under the Constitution, such as the Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General and the national commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and statutory or executive bodies such as NITI Aayog, the NHRC, the CVC, the CBI and Lokpal. Questions often ask whether a body is constitutional or not, which article creates it, who appoints its head and for how long. For example, the CAG is appointed under Article 148, the Finance Commission under Article 280, and NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015 by an executive resolution. Practise the constitutional and statutory bodies questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.