The tenure of the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission is:

Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, as amended, the Chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission hold office for a term of three years or until they reach the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.

Change in tenure:

• Originally, the term was five years.
• An amendment to the Act reduced it to three years and also made members eligible for re-appointment.
• The same amendment allowed a former judge of the Supreme Court, and not only a former Chief Justice of India, to be appointed Chairperson.

Appointment of the Chairperson and members:

They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a high-level committee that includes the presiding officers of Parliament and the Leaders of the Opposition.

Removal:

• The President can remove the Chairperson or a member on grounds such as insolvency, paid employment outside, infirmity of mind or body, unsoundness of mind or conviction for an offence involving moral turpitude.
• He can also be removed on certain other grounds after an inquiry by the Supreme Court.

After the term:

The Chairperson and members are not eligible for further employment under the Central or a state government after their term.

First Chairperson:

Justice Ranganath Misra, a former Chief Justice of India, was the first Chairperson of the NHRC.

Composition:

• A Chairperson.
• Members including a former judge of the Supreme Court, a former Chief Justice of a High Court and persons with knowledge of human rights, of whom at least one must be a woman.
• Ex officio members who are chairpersons of other national commissions.

Headquarters:

The NHRC's headquarters is in New Delhi.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Five years was the original term.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗Six years and two years are not the term of the NHRC Chairperson.