New Delhi ,More than seven months after the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) became entirely vacant, the Indian government has declined to provide Parliament with any indicative timetable for appointing a new chairperson, vice-chairperson or members, despite pointed questioning in the Rajya Sabha and a Delhi High Court directive.
In a written reply tabled on Tuesday, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, told the upper house that the government “endeavours to appoint” the leadership and members of the statutory body but stopped short of committing to a schedule. All positions have remained unfilled since April 2025.
The NCM, established under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 and vested with quasi-judicial powers, is mandated to safeguard the interests of six notified minority communities. Its prolonged inaction has drawn judicial criticism.
On 15 October, a division bench of the Delhi High Court headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya observed that the commission “cannot remain headless for so long”. Hearing a public-interest litigation filed by minority rights activist Mujahid Nafees, the court granted the Centre additional time to respond but urged the government not to await the next hearing before initiating the appointment process.
In response to questions from AIADMK Rajya Sabha member I.S. Inbadurai and TRS member K.R. Suresh Reddy, Mr Rijiju cited provisions of the 1992 Act that empower the central government to nominate individuals “of eminence, ability and integrity”. He noted that the commission regulates its own procedure and added that grievances received continue to be forwarded to the relevant authorities, implying some residual administrative functioning.
Critics argue that the absence of appointed members has effectively paralysed the NCM’s core statutory functions, including its ability to conduct inquiries and issue binding recommendations.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has faced similar judicial and parliamentary scrutiny in the past over delays in constituting or reconstituting minority commissions and related bodies. No official comment was immediately available on whether a search committee has been formed or shortlisting is under way.
The matter is next listed before the Delhi High Court in the coming weeks.
