National Commission for Women (NCW) [UPSC Notes]

The National Commission for Women was formed to establish an equal and just livelihood for women by making legal and constitutional amendments for women in India. Violence against Women is a fundamental violation of human rights, across nations, societies, cultures and classes and to stop this violation of this fundamental right; this Commission was formed. 

Problems faced by the women in the country have been one of the biggest concerns of the Government and other authorities. Over the years, many Commissions have been set up by the Government to look into the welfare of Women in the country. According to the reports of these commissions, all of them state the necessity of setting up an apex body for reviewing and addressing the grievances of women in the country. The demand for setting up a body persisted for long and ultimately to keep the interest of the people, the National Commission for Women Bill 1990 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 22nd May 1990.

 Know more about UPSC Syllabus at the linked article.

National Commission for Women

The National Commission for Women was set up in 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. This body was established to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women. 

It recommends remedial legislative measures, facilitates the redressal of grievances and advises the government on all policy matters affecting women. It enjoys all the powers of a civil court.

• The first commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Jayanti Patnaik as the chairperson. Alok Rawat IAS was the first male member of the National Commission for Women (NCW). His appointment filled the 4th seat on the five-member body. Ms Rekha Sharma is the current Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. She took over Lalitha Kumaramangalam as the new Chairperson in September 2018.
• The National Commission for Women is an important topic for candidates preparing for the upcoming UPSC 2024 exam. Aspirants can visit the linked article for more details.

UPSC Aspirants can also get the List of Important Committees and Commissions in India in the linked article.

Composition of National Commission for Women

The Commission must consist of a minimum number of members which includes a chairperson, a member secretary, and the other five members.

• Chairperson: The central government should nominate the chairperson.
• Five members: The five members are also to be nominated by the central government from amongst the person of ability, integrity, and standing. They should possess experience in various fields like law or legislation, trade unionism, management of industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organization, education, administration, economic development, and social well-being.
• Member Secretary: The Central Government also nominates a member secretary. He/she should be either an expert in the field of management, an organization, or an officer who is a member.

Know more about the IAS exam in the linked article.

Aspirants can know more about the other Commissions set by for the welfare of the citizens of the country, through the links given below:

Functions of National Commission for Women

• Inquiry and Investigation
  • The National Commission of Women enjoys the powers of a civil court. It investigates and examines the matters related to the safeguards ensured for feminine society under the Constitution of India. It takes complaints suo moto notice of issues related to the non-implementation of laws and non-enforcement of laws and non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines enacted and aimed at mitigating hardships ensuring the welfare and then takes up issues arising out of matter with the concerned authorities.
• Action Research
  • NCW members participate in the planning process of the socio-economic development of women, propose measures to encourage their representation in all spheres and review their advancement. It also examines the safeguards provided for women in the Constitution and other laws study their working, recommends amendments to meet any inadequacies or deficiencies, and advocates measures for effective implementation.
• Legal Intervention
  • The Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat, (PMLA) is an innovative component with its roots in the traditional Nyaya Panchayats. It is created by NCW for the redressal and speedy disposal of cases. It has taken up 7500 cases so far. The essential feature of PMLA is cordial mutual settlement and flexibility in implementation, aiming to empower women in the justice delivery mechanism.

The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions:

1. Investigation and Examination: Investigate and examine all the matters relating to the safeguards provided for women under the Constitution and other laws
2. Presentation of Reports: Table reports to the Central Government, every year and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards
3. Recommendations: Make such reports and recommendations for the effective accomplishment of those safeguards for enhancing the conditions of the women by the Union or any State.
4. Review, every now and then, the current provisions of the Constitution and other laws distressing women and prescribe alterations and suggest curative legislative measures to meet any break, inadequacies, and incapacity in such legislation.
5. Cases of Violation: Take up cases of infringement of the provisions of the Constitution and of other laws relating to women with the relevant authorities
6. Suo Moto Notice: It looks into complaints, and takes Suo Motto notice of matters relating to – the deprivation of women’s rights, non-implementation of the laws, and non-compliance of policy decisions guaranteeing the welfare of women’s society.
7. Special Studies and Investigation: It conducts special studies or investigations on the concerning issues or circumstances emerging out of segregation and outrages against ladies and recognizes the limitations to suggest techniques for their expulsion
8. Research: Undertake the promotional and educational research to propose ways of ensuring due representation of women in all fields and identify the factors responsible for impeding the support services and technologies for reducing drudgery and professional health hazards and for escalating their efficiency.
9. Participation in all spheres particularly in Planning: take part and advice on the planning process of socioeconomic development of women
10. Evaluation: assess the progress of the development of women’s society under the Union and State.
11. Inspection: investigate or cause to be inspected a jail, remand home women’s establishment or other places of guardianship where ladies are kept as detainees.
12. Funding: fund litigation, relating issues affecting a large body of women.
13. Reporting: make periodical reports on any issue about women and in particular various difficulties under which women toil.

Prepare this topic for other government exams as well. To know more about other government exams, candidates can visit the linked article.

Drawbacks of National Commission for Women

• It has no actual legislative powers. It only has the powers to suggest amendments and submit reports which are not obligatory on a state or union governments.
• It does not have the power to choose its own members. The power selecting members is vested with the Union Government and the nature of the country’s volatile political scenario tends the commission to be politicized.
• It is reliant on financial assistance from the Union Government and this could compromise the independence of the Commission.
• The jurisdiction of the commission is not operating in Jammu and Kashmir and considering the current political unrest and human rights infringements in the region, the presence of the commission is vital.

Get the List of Women Empowerment Schemes in India in the linked article.

Also, refer to the links below for IAS exam preparation:

For any further exam updates, preparation strategy and preparation tips, candidates can visit BYJU’S.