**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. †1858, answered on November 2, 2026, regarding the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The question inquired about proposals to grant constitutional status to the NCM, actions taken regarding a previous recommendation to provide constitutional status, and details of annual reports submitted by the Commission. The Minister of Minority Affairs answered the questions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Constitutional Status of NCM:**
* There is currently no proposal to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM).
* The NCM was established as a Statutory body through the NCM Act, 1992, and is considered sufficiently empowered to carry out its mandate.
* **Annual Reports and Recommendations:**
* The NCM prepares and submits annual reports to the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
* These reports contain recommendations related to issues and concerns of minorities.
* The recommendations are circulated to the concerned Ministries/Departments for their Action Taken Memorandum. Improvements are made as an ongoing process.
**Impact Analysis**
* **National Commission for Minorities (NCM)**
* *Impact:* The NCM's current status remains unchanged, and it will continue to operate under the NCM Act, 1992.
* *Action Required:* Continue submitting annual reports and recommendations to the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
* **Ministry of Minority Affairs**
* *Impact:* The Ministry continues to receive and consider the NCM's annual reports and recommendations.
* *Action Required:* Circulate the recommendations contained in the annual reports of NCM to concerned Ministries/Departments and ensure ongoing Action Taken Memorandum and improvements are made.
* **Concerned Ministries / Departments**
* *Impact:* These entities receive and consider the NCM's recommendations related to issues and concerns of minorities.
* *Action Required:* Review NCM's recommendations and develop Action Taken Memorandums.
Key Entities Referenced
National Commission for Minorities (NCM): A commission whose constitutional status is being questioned.
National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992: Act under which the NCM was established.
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Ministry to which the NCM submits reports.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, 1993: Act whose chapters may be included in the NCM Act.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No- †1858
ANSWERED ON – 11/02/2026
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES
†1858. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal/plan to grant constitutional status to the National
Commission for Minorities (NCM) and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether it is a fact that the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment in its 53rd
report (2017-18) had described the Commission as "almost ineffective" in dealing with serious
matters and recommended to provide it constitutional status at the earliest and if so, the action taken
so far in this regard;
(c) the details of the number of annual reports submitted by the Commission so far and the action by
the Government on its recommendations; and
(d) whether any decision has been taken on the recommendation to include Chapters III and IV of
the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, 1993 in the National Commission for
Minorities Act, 1992 to enhance the effectiveness of the Commission and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a)& (b): There is no proposal at present to grant constitutional status to National Commission for
Minorities (NCM). The Standing Committee in its 53rd Report had recommended for giving
constitutional status to NCM. The NCM was set up as a Statutory body through NCM Act, 1992
and is sufficiently empowered to carry out its mandate. Therefore, there is no such proposal to make
it a constitutional body.
(c) & (d): The NCM prepares and submits the Annual reports to the Ministry of Minority Affairs,
along with its recommendations related to issues and concern of minorities. The recommendations
of NCM as contained in its Annual reports are circulated to the concerned Ministries / Departments
for their Action Taken Memorandum, and improvements are made, this being an ongoing process.
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