The central social justice and human rights laws of India give institutional form to the Constitution’s promises — the Human Rights Commissions, the rights-based disabilities statute, and the commissions and trusts for women, children and persons with disabilities.
The Protection of Human Rights Act created the NHRC in 1993, twenty years after it was first debated. The 2016 Disabilities Act recast its 1995 predecessor as a rights statute aligned with the UN Convention; the Transgender Persons Act recognised gender identity after the Supreme Court’s judgment in NALSA. The commissions and the National Trust complete the machinery of redress.
This page lists the principal central statutes, what each covers, and links to authoritative texts. All acts here are central laws enacted by Parliament — state-enacted laws are covered separately.
Contents
Rights Statutes
| Act | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (10 of 1994) | The National and State Human Rights Commissions and their inquiry powers over violations of human rights. Key amendment: Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019. |
| Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (49 of 2016) | The rights-based disabilities statute: accessibility, education, employment reservation and legal capacity. It replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. |
| Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (40 of 2019) | Recognition of gender identity, certificates of identity, welfare measures and protection from discrimination. |
Commissions and Trusts
| Act | What it covers |
|---|---|
| National Commission for Women Act, 1990 (20 of 1990) | The National Commission for Women and its powers to safeguard women’s rights and review laws. |
| National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 (44 of 1999) | The National Trust and the guardianship and welfare framework for persons with these disabilities. |
| Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (4 of 2006) | The National and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights and their powers. |
For the fundamental rights behind these statutes, see our constitutional and administrative laws library; for protections within the family, the central family and personal laws library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a human-rights violation be complained of?
The National Human Rights Commission or the State Human Rights Commission under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 — with the ordinary courts and the writ jurisdiction of the High Courts always available.
What does the 2016 Disabilities Act guarantee?
Accessibility of public buildings and transport, free education, reservation in government employment and higher education, and legal capacity, with penalties for discrimination.
Who protects child rights at the state level?
The State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights under the CPCR Act, 2005, alongside the National Commission.
This page is a general library guide published for the Knowledge Centre and is not legal advice. For advice on a specific matter, please contact the firm.