The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over delays in appointing new members to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), noting that the statutory body has remained largely non-functional since late 2024 due to prolonged vacancies.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia described a status report filed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs as “bald and vague,” stating that it lacked clarity on when the appointment process began and the stages completed so far. The court directed the government to submit a fresh affidavit outlining concrete steps taken and a clear timeline for filling the vacant posts.

The observations came during a hearing of a public interest litigation that alleged the government had failed to appoint a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and five members to the commission, effectively paralysing its functioning. Established under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the NCM serves as a quasi-judicial body tasked with safeguarding the rights and interests of minority communities.

Several positions became vacant after members completed their terms in November 2024, while the chairperson’s tenure ended in April 2025. The commission traditionally includes representatives from six notified minority communities — Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains. The High Court had earlier raised concerns over the delays, highlighting the importance of maintaining functional institutional mechanisms for minority welfare and protection.

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