**Executive Summary**
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) organized the Conference of State Minorities Commissions in New Delhi on May 19, 2026, to deliberate on institutional strengthening, minority welfare, and inclusive development. The conference focused on enhancing the delivery of welfare measures and strengthening mechanisms for the protection of minority rights. Key objectives highlighted include the achievement of a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047 through collaborative action and improved inter-state coordination.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Institutional Performance and Strengthening**
* The NCM reported a high grievance redressal rate, disposing of 9,230 out of 9,558 petitions received between 2021–22 and 2025–26.
* Discussions emphasized the need to address limitations in the Commission’s jurisdiction and improve administrative coordination.
* New outreach initiatives and studies are being undertaken, specifically focusing on the Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi communities.
**Welfare Schemes and Empowerment**
* The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is being utilized to build advanced infrastructure to empower minority communities.
* The PM VIKAS Yojana was identified as a critical tool for providing inclusive opportunities and socio-economic development.
* Specific focus was placed on the welfare and empowerment of the Pasmanda Muslim community as part of the national development vision.
**Community Contributions to Nation Building**
* The Parsi community was recognized for its significant contributions to industry and the economy.
* The Christian community’s role in education and healthcare and the Sikh community’s role in building the nation were highlighted.
* Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, and other minority communities were noted for enriching India’s cultural, intellectual, and social fabric.
**Operational Challenges for State Commissions**
* Technical sessions identified hurdles such as institutional capacity, staffing, and resource constraints.
* Legal and procedural challenges affecting the efficiency of State Minorities Commissions were discussed.
* Emphasis was laid on strengthening inter-state collaboration to improve responsiveness to minority concerns.
**State-Level Best Practices**
* Participating states, including Bihar, Assam, Kerala, Meghalaya, and Tamil Nadu, showcased successful governance models.
* Shared initiatives focused on educational assistance, skill development, scholarship support, and livelihood promotion.
* The exchange of practices is intended to foster policy learning and convergence in welfare interventions across the country.
**Impact Analysis**
**Minority Communities**
**Impact**
They benefit from strengthened protection of rights and improved delivery of welfare schemes like PMJVK and PM VIKAS. The focus on inclusive growth ensures better access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
**Action Required**
Communities are encouraged to engage with the Commission’s outreach programs and utilize available welfare and scholarship schemes.
**State Minorities Commissions**
**Impact**
These bodies are expected to become more effective through better coordination with the NCM and other states, helping them overcome resource and jurisdictional constraints.
**Action Required**
Commissions must implement strengthened grievance redressal frameworks and adopt best practices shared during the conference to improve service delivery.
**State and Central Governments**
**Impact**
Governments are impacted by the need to align state-level welfare interventions with the national vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047."
**Action Required**
Officials must focus on building advanced infrastructure, ensuring equitable participation, and fostering inter-state collaboration for policy learning.
Key Entities Referenced
National Commission for Minorities (NCM): The primary statutory body that organized the conference to deliberate on institutional strengthening, grievance redressal, and minority welfare.
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The central ministry overseeing minority welfare policies and the implementation of development schemes across India.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK): A central welfare scheme focused on empowering minority communities by building advanced infrastructure.
PM VIKAS Yojana: An initiative aimed at the socio-economic empowerment and development of minority communities through heritage-linked skill development.
State Minorities Commissions: Regional bodies whose operational challenges, coordination, and best practices were the central focus of the national conference.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju: “India remains
one of the safest and most inclusive homes for
minorities”
National Commission for Minorities Organizes Conference of
State Minorities Commissions in New Delhi
Deliberations Focus on Institutional Strengthening, Minority
Welfare and Inclusive Development
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 6:19PM by PIB Delhi
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Government of India, today organized the Conference
of State Minorities Commissions at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The conference brought together
representatives of State Minorities Commissions, senior officials from State Governments and Union
Territories, policymakers and eminent representatives from minority communities to deliberate upon
issues concerning minority welfare, institutional strengthening and inclusive development.
The conference served as an important platform for dialogue, coordination and exchange of ideas aimed at
strengthening mechanisms for protection of minority rights and improving the delivery of welfare
measures for minority communities across the country.The conference was graced by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, and Shri George
Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs. Distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion
included Shri Berjis Desai, Member, NCM; Ms. S. Munawari Begum, Member, NCM; Smt. Alka
Upadhyaya, Secretary, NCM; Shri Danish Azad Ansari, Minister of State, Government of Uttar Pradesh,
Shri Mohammad Zama Khan, Minister of Minority Welfare, Government of Bihar and Dr Atya Nand,
Joint Secretary, NCM.
Speaking at the event, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Minority Affairs said, “The contribution of all
minority communities to India’s growth and development is immense. The Parsi community has made
extraordinary contributions to industry and the economy, Christians have played a significant role in
education and healthcare, while Muslims, Buddhists, Jains and other minority communities have enriched
India’s cultural, intellectual and social fabric in countless ways.”
He further added, “India continues to remain one of the safest and most inclusive homes for minorities.
When we look at neighboring countries in the Indian subcontinent, we often see minority communities
facing existential challenges and seeking refuge in India. From Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, minorities from
across the region have looked towards India as a place of shelter, security and dignity.”Addressing the gathering, Shri George Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, focused on welfare
schemes like PMJVK that are empowering minority communities by building advanced infrastructure. He
stressed the focus of the Central Government towards securing minority communities and taking them
forward to make India a developed nation by 2047.
In her address, Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, NCM, elaborated on the Commission’s robust grievance
redressal mechanism. She informed that over the past five years, the Commission has maintained a strong
record of grievance redressal, reflecting its commitment to timely intervention and resolution. Between
2021–22 and 2025–26, a total of 9,558 petitions were received, out of which 9,230 complaints were
disposed of, demonstrating a consistently high disposal rate. The Secretary also elaborated on the new
work being undertaken by the Commission on studies and outreach, including seminars focused on the
Buddhist, Jain and Parsi communities.Shri Danish Azad Ansari, Minister of State, Government of Uttar Pradesh, elaborated on the Pasmanda
Muslim community and highlighted the Government’s efforts for their welfare and empowerment,
essential for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Shri Mohammad Zama Khan, Minister for Minority Welfare, Government of Bihar, stressed the
requirement for minority welfare schemes and ensuring a sense of security.
Shri Berjis Desai, Member, NCM, highlighted certain limitations in the Commission’s jurisdiction and
emphasized that stronger coordination among State Minority Commissions could bring meaningful change
and further strengthen the protection of minority rights.
Ms. S. Munawari Begum, Member, NCM, underscored the immense potential of the PM VIKAS Yojana in
empowering minority communities and noted that collective efforts, coupled with greater awareness,
could pave the way for significant progress and development.
Technical Sessions
Technical Session–I: Role of Minorities in the Development of the Country
The session explored the immense contributions of minority communities to nation-building, socio-
economic progress, education, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, culture and social harmony. The session
was moderated by Dr. Michael V. Williams, Director, Mount Carmel Schools and representative from the
Christian community. Distinguished speakers included Shri Atif Rasheed, former Vice Chairman, NCM,
representing the Muslim community, who praised the range of welfare schemes from the Government of
India to empower the Muslim community. Shri Manjit Singh GK, former President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara
Management Committee, representing the Sikh community, reiterated the role the Sikh community has
played in building the nation. Ven. Bhikkhu Bhaddiya, Abbot and Founder-Chairman of Abhaya Dana
Forest Monastery, representing the Buddhist community, stated that India gave Buddha and not Yudh to
the world. Dr. Shugan Jain, Founder, International School of Jain Studies, representing the Jain
community, elaborated on the community’s role and the Government’s efforts to recognize Jains as a
minority community. Shri Adil Nargolwala, President, Delhi Parsi Anjuman, representing the Parsi
community, gave a summary of the massive achievements of the Parsi community despite being the
smallest minority community in India.The speakers emphasized the invaluable role played by minority communities in strengthening India’s
pluralistic ethos and contributing to sectors such as education, healthcare, social service, trade, arts and
culture. Deliberations also highlighted the need to further promote equitable participation and inclusive
opportunities for all sections of society.
Technical Session–II: Functioning of State Minorities Commissions – Problems and Challenges
The session focused on operational realities, institutional concerns and emerging challenges faced by State
Minorities Commissions. The session included interventions by Shri Berjis Desai, Member, NCM, along
with Chairpersons of State Minorities Commissions including Shri Tabibar Rehman, Chairman, Assam
State Minorities Commission; Shri Hidyatullah Khan, Chairman, Jharkhand State Minorities Commission;
Shri U. Nisar Ahmed, Chairman, Karnataka State Minorities Commission; Shri Pyare Jiya Khan,
Chairman, Maharashtra State Minorities Commission; and Md. Deepak Shah, Chairman, Manipur State
Minorities Commission.
Participants deliberated upon issues related to institutional capacity, administrative coordination,
grievance redressal frameworks, staffing and resource constraints, and legal and procedural challenges
affecting the effective functioning of State Minorities Commissions. Emphasis was laid on strengthening
inter-state collaboration and institutional mechanisms to improve responsiveness to minority concerns.
Technical Session–III: Best Practices of State Governments/UTs for Welfare of Minority
Communities:
The session provided a platform for States and Union Territories to showcase successful initiatives and
innovative governance models. The session featured presentations by Shri Robert L. Chongthu, Principal
Secretary, Bihar State Minority Welfare Department; Shri Soman Ali Ahmed, Secretary, Welfare of
Minorities and Development Department, Assam; Shri Sabin Sameed, Director, Minority Welfare
Department, Keralam; Shri Praveen Bakshi, Commissioner and Secretary, Social Welfare Department,
Meghalaya; Thiru E. Saravanavelraj, Secretary, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities
Welfare Department, Tamil Nadu; and Shri Nirmal Adhikari, Special Secretary-cum-Director, Minorities
Welfare Department.The participating States shared experiences relating to educational assistance, skill development,
scholarship support, livelihood promotion, community welfare schemes and institutional innovations
aimed at improving outreach and service delivery to minority communities. The exchange of best
practices is expected to contribute to policy learning and greater convergence in welfare interventions
across States.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment towards collaborative action, stronger institutional
coordination and sustained engagement for ensuring the protection of minority rights and welfare. The
deliberations are expected to contribute meaningfully towards strengthening inclusive governance and
enhancing the effectiveness of minority welfare mechanisms across the country.
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AK/MR
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