The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission can be removed by the President on the ground of proved misbehaviour only after an inquiry by
- A.a committee of Parliament
- B.the Supreme Court
- C.the Central Vigilance Commission
- D.the Union Council of Ministers
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, the Supreme Court. On a ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity the President must refer the matter to the Supreme Court, and the Chairperson or member can be removed only if the Court, after an inquiry held in accordance with its own procedure, reports that the ground is made out. Option A is wrong because no address by Parliament is needed; that procedure belongs to the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court. Option C is wrong because the Central Vigilance Commission inquires into corruption among public servants and has no role here. Option D is wrong because the Council of Ministers cannot sit in judgement over a body meant to be independent of the executive. The same protection is given to the Chairperson of a State Human Rights Commission.
Read the full article: NHRC and Rights Commissions: Powers, Term and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allWhich of the following is a non-constitutional body of India?
- A.Finance Commission
- B.State Human Right Commission
- C.Union Public Service Commission
- D.Election Commission
Show answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, State Human Rights Commission. A State Human Rights Commission is created by Chapter V of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, an ordinary law of Parliament, so it is a statutory and not a constitutional body; Parliament could abolish it by amending that Act alone. Option A is wrong because the Finance Commission is set up under Article 280, which the President must act upon every fifth year. Option C is wrong because the Union Public Service Commission is created by Article 315, and the conditions of service of its members are protected by Articles 316 to 323. Option D is wrong because the Election Commission of India owes its existence to Article 324, which vests in it the superintendence, direction and control of elections. The trap in this question is that all four are called commissions; only the source of each body's authority separates them.
The tenure of the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission is _________.
- A.3 Years
- B.4 Years
- C.5 Years
- D.6 Years
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Explanation
The correct answer is A, three years. The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019 reduced the term of the Chairperson and the members of the Commission from five years to three years, or until they attain the age of seventy, whichever is earlier, and it also made them eligible for reappointment. Option C, five years, was the correct answer before the 2019 amendment and is the commonest trap in this question, because older notes still carry that figure. Options B and D, four and six years, have never been the term of this office; six years is associated with other posts such as a Rajya Sabha member's term, and four years with none of the rights commissions. Remember the pair: three years for the office, seventy as the age ceiling for the Chairperson.
The National Human Rights Commission of India was constituted under which law?
- A.The Human Rights Commission Act, 1991
- B.The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
- C.The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
- D.The Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952
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Explanation
The correct answer is B, the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Act began life as an ordinance in September 1993, and the Commission was constituted on 12 October 1993 with Justice Ranganath Misra, a former Chief Justice of India, as its first Chairperson. Option A is wrong because there is no Human Rights Commission Act of 1991; that year is remembered only for the Paris workshop that drew up the Paris Principles. Option C is wrong because the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 is the renamed Untouchability (Offences) Act and punishes the practice of untouchability; it creates no commission. Option D is wrong because the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 is the law under which the government appoints a one-off commission of inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, such as a riot or a disaster.
The Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission is observed on which date?
- A.10 December
- B.12 October
- C.26 November
- D.28 September
Show answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 12 October, the date on which the Commission was constituted in 1993. Option A, 10 December, is Human Rights Day, which marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948; students confuse the two dates constantly, so fix the pair in memory. Option C, 26 November, is Constitution Day, the day the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution in 1949. Option D, 28 September, is close to the date of the ordinance that preceded the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, but it is not the day the Commission came into being. The safe way to hold this fact is the chain: Declaration in 1948 on 10 December, Paris Principles in 1991, Act and Commission in 1993 on 12 October.
Who heads the committee that recommends the appointment of the Chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission?
- A.The Chief Justice of India
- B.The President of India
- C.The Prime Minister
- D.The Union Home Minister
Show answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, the Prime Minister. The selection committee has six members: the Prime Minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and the Union Home Minister; the President then makes the appointment on its recommendation. Option A is wrong, though the Chief Justice of India must be consulted when a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or a sitting Chief Justice of a High Court is to be appointed. Option B is wrong because the President appoints but does not recommend; the same pattern appears in the appointment of the Lokpal and the Central Information Commissioner. Option D is wrong because the Union Home Minister is only a member of the committee, not its head.