Human Rights in India

About this unit

Human rights are rights that every person has simply by being human. This unit traces how human rights developed internationally, especially after the Second World War, and how the Indian Constitution protects them through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. It also studies complaint mechanisms such as the National and State Human Rights Commissions and other national commissions for vulnerable groups.

Key ideas

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) is the foundation of modern human rights law.
• The ICCPR and ICESCR (1966), with the UDHR, form the International Bill of Human Rights.
• Part III of the Constitution contains enforceable Fundamental Rights; Part IV contains Directive Principles.
• The Supreme Court has expanded Article 21 to cover many human rights.
• The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 created the NHRC and SHRCs.
• Separate commissions protect women, children, minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

How to prepare

Learn key dates (1948, 1966, 1993) and the main human rights treaties. Link each right with an Article of the Constitution and a landmark case. Know the composition and powers of the NHRC.