Section 3:
Constitution of a National Human Rights Commission.
(1) The Central Government shall
constitute a body to be known as the National Human Rights Commission to exercise the powers
conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to, it under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of--
(a) a Chairperson who has been a 1[Chief Justice of India or a Judge] of the Supreme Court;
(b) one Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court;
(c) one Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court;
(d) 2[three Members out of which at least one shall be a woman] to be appointed from amongst
persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights
(3) The Chairpersons of 3[,the National Commission for Backward Classes, the National Commission
for Minorities, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights],
4[the National Commission for
the Scheduled Castes, the National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes] and the 5[the National
Commission for Women and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities] shall be deemed to be
Members of the Commission for the discharge of functions specified in clauses (b) to (j) of section 12.
(4) There shall be a Secretary-General who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission
and 6[shall, subject to control of the Chairperson, exercise all administrative and financial powers (except
judicial functions and the power to make regulations under section 40B)].
(5) The headquarters of the Commission shall be at Delhi and the Commission may, with the
previous approval of the Central Government, establish offices at other places in India.
Notes:
1. Subs. by Act 19 of 2019, s. 3, for “Chief Justice” (w.e.f. 2-8-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “two Members” (w.e.f. 2-8-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “National Commission for Minorities” (w.e.f. 2-8-2019).
4. Subs. by Act 43 of 2006, s. 3, for “the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”
(w.e.f. 23-11-2006).
5. Subs. by Act 19 of 2019, s. 3, for “National Commission for Women” (w.e.f. 2-8-2019).
6. Subs. by Act 19 of 2019, s. 3, for certain words (w.e.f. 2-8-2019).