UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies

Question 89: Polity and Governance

According to the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1993, who amongst the following can be its Chairman?

aAny serving Judge of the Supreme Court

bAny serving Judge of the High Court

cOnly a retired Chief Justice of India

dOnly a retired Chief Justice of a High Court

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Under the Act as it stood in 2004, the NHRC chairperson had to be a person who had been Chief Justice of India. Members included one who is or has been a Supreme Court judge, one who is or has been a High Court Chief Justice, and two with human rights knowledge. A serving judge could not be chairman.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) A serving Supreme Court judge could not be chairman.
(b) A serving High Court judge could not be chairman.
(c) Correct: the chairman had to be a former Chief Justice of India.
(d) A former High Court Chief Justice could be a member, not chairman.

Worth knowing: The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019 widened the eligibility, so a former Chief Justice of India or any former Supreme Court judge can now be chairperson.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2004, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.