GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

In a rights-based democracy, institutions like the NHRC must evolve beyond symbolic presence to real-time impact. In this context, discuss the structural and functional issues within India's human rights framework.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Statutory and Regulatory BodiesVulnerable SectionsJudiciaryConstitution and Basic Structure

Syllabus: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 180 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision2 of 3
  • A date or context1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A way forward3 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 124 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a recent event

Recently GANHRI has suspended NHRC's membership due to allegation of non-independence

Body · points and prose

Diagram
- NHRC Significance - Protecting Human Rights - Voice to voiceless - Check on executive overreach, e.g. custodial death

Structural Issue

  1. Lack of independence e.g. GANHRI assessment
  2. Lack of constitutional status
  3. Toothless Tiger → No power of enforcement
  4. Depends on investigative agency for functioning

Functional Issues (5) Lack of Trained personnel and vacancy in office (6) Dependence on funds from the Ministry (7) No Action Taken Report (ATRs) are filed (8) Silence in Human Right Abuse cases (e.g. Manipur Case) (9) Selective enforcement

Way forward (1) Constitutional status (2) Funding & functional independence (3) Remove cap on time limit to file complaint. (4) Power to suspend & grant compensation

Close · a way forward

As AJR (2023 Nobel) highlight in "Why nation fail", inclusive institutions like NHRC are key for success of nation.

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