Harjit Singh Grewal was appointed Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities on 16 July 2026; the Ministry of Minority Affairs issued the notification. The post had been vacant since April 2025.
Legal and Institutional Basis
- Statute: Constituted under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
- Nature: Statutory body; not a constitutional body; advises the Central Government on minority matters.
Composition and Appointment
- Sanctioned strength: Seven members including a Chairperson and Vice‑Chairperson.
- Appointment & Tenure: Members appointed by the Central Government; Chairperson’s term normally up to three years or until further orders.
Powers and Functions
- Mandate: Monitor safeguards for notified minority communities, inquire into complaints and study minority‑related issues.
- Enquiry powers: Possesses powers of a civil court for the purpose of enquiries — summoning witnesses, requiring documents and requisitioning public records.
- Reporting: Submits an annual report to the Central Government for laying before Parliament; can recommend remedial measures.
Notified Minority Communities
- Central list: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains.
Profile of Chairperson
- Harjit Singh Grewal: Appointed 16 July 2026; senior political leader from Punjab with long public‑life association to national political organisations.