Parliament Question: Prolonged vacancies in National Commission for Minorities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-1883 ANSWERED ON – 09/03/2026 PROLONGED VACANCIES IN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES 1883. DR. FAUZIA KHAN: SMT. PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that key posts including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and all member positions in the National Commission for Minorities have been vacant since November 2024, making the Commission non-functional; (b) if so, the reasons for delay in filling these important statutory positions and steps taken to revive the Commission at the earliest; (c) the impact of this prolonged vacancy on safeguarding the rights and welfare of notified minority communities nationwide; and (d) the specific timeline proposed by Government to complete the appointments and restore the Commission's functioning? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a) to (d) As per Section 3 (2) of the NCM Act 1992, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the Commission are to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity. Further, as per Section 8(2) of the NCM Act 1992, the Commission shall regulate its own procedure. The Central Government has appointed two members in the National Commission for Minorities, vide notification dated 06.03.2026. *****