[6 ‘The Republic of India has world’s 3rd largest military force and has the world’s largest volunteer army. It consists of three services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. ‘The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Force, However, the Cabinet is responsible for National Defence. ‘The Administrative control of armed forces is exercised by the Ministry of Defence, which constitutes the following. (a) Department of Defence (b) Department of Defence Production (©) Defence Research and Development Organisation (@) Department of Ex Servicemen Welfare (©) Department of Military Affairs ARMY Headed by- Chief of the Army Staff Headquarters~ New Delhi Defence & Human Rights Issues Navy Headed by — Chief of the Naval Staff Headquarters ~ New Delhi Tee ‘Command 7, | Western Naval Command 2. [Easter Naval Command — | Vsskhapainam 5 | Souther Naval Command ach command is commanded bya flag officer commanding- in-chief The Indian Novy is @ well-balanced three-dimensional force consisting of sophisticated misslecapable warship, aircraft carers, minesweepers, advanced submarines, andthe latest sircraftin ts inventory. Navy has major Naval bases at Mumbsi, ‘Visakhapatnam, Goa, Karwar, Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair, [Command Headquarter [IMPORTANT SUBMARINES/ MISSILE BOATS] WARSHIPS] 1, | Western Command (Chandimandir, Panchkula Bt 2. [Easter Command Kolkata INS Savitri INS Vibhuti 3, [Northern Command Udhampur (J & K) — a = — = = INS Shaki INS Mysore [INS Prashant aS soto Come a [INS Sindhushastra INS Brahamputra |INS Nashak 5. | Central Command Lucknow INS Ghariyal | INS Vipul 6. [Training Command | shite INS Kalish (added in 1991), INS Setpura 7. |Souh Wester Command | inue INS Talwar (added in 2005) INS Tilanchang AIR FORCE LOCATION OF DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENTS Radel by Cucsof tee Alc Fiat ans GE Sieatepiacers “ew Dab [+ _Indian Military Academy Dehradun = The Collegeof Miltary Engineering | Dap (Pune) ‘Command Headquarter [The School of Signals Mhow T, | Westen Air Command New Delhi [>The Infantry School Mhow 2. |South- Wester Air Command | Gandhinagar -ipTne Amy Eoonion Corps aa | Poobenasil LF 3. | Central Ait Command Prayagraj Training College 22) 4. [Eastern Air Command Shillong SAIS = 5. [Souther Air Command | Thiruvanathapuram Ee oa + Indian Naval Academy, Kannur In addition tothe above main command, there are two support |+ Naval Air Station Garuda Kochi ‘commands, of functional commands, namely: [= INS Agrani (Leadership Training | Coimbatore 1. Training Command ~ Bengaluru Establishment) 2. Maintenance Command~ Nagpur [= Naval Gunnery School KockGeneral Study sit ——— ere i ~etee enti =i es Soe fh en a + National Defence Academy Khadakwasla == ———— = =e DROO + The esponsibility of developing India's defence technology is assigned to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). ‘+ The organization is the main body dedicated to research & development, monitoring, regulating, and administering of ‘country’s Defence Research and Development Program. ‘It was established in 1958 by amalgamating Defence Science Organization and some of the Technical Development Institutions. It functions under the control of Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister who is also secretary, Defence R&D. DRDO formulates and executes programmes of scientific research, design and development leading to induction of state-of-the-art weapons, platforms, and other equipment required by the Armed Forces. ‘+ DRDO Looks after diverse areas of defence technology such as aeronautical engineering, armaments, combat vehicles, electronic instrumentation, engineering, systems, missiles, naval systems, advanced computing & simulation, life sciences, high altitude defence, development of special materials, laser systems et. Major achievements of DRDO + Some of the major achievements towards indigenous developmentjoint collaboration of defence equipments and systems and slso for the civilian purposes include production of surface to surf target craft-Lakshya, Supersonic BrahMos missile system, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, Airbome early ‘Waring and Control (AEW&C) System; Advanced Towed Arillery Gun System (ATAGS); Weapon Locating Radar (WLR)- Swati; High Speed Heavy Weight Ship Launched ‘Torpedo-Varunastra; Medium Power Radar- Arudhra; ‘Akaash Weapon System; Sonar-Abhay; Hull Mounted Sonar (HUMSA); Advanced Indigenous Distress Sonar System (AIDS); various types of ammunition for MBT Arjun; Anti Torpedo Decoys, Electro-Optical Fire Control System for Naval Ships; Electro-Optical Sensors For Airborne Platforms; Mountain Foot Bridge; Sub-munition warheads for Pinaka; Terrain Assessment System for trans- border deserts etc. DEFENCE PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS. ‘+ Additionally Defence Public Sector undertakings (DPSUs) also play and important roe for production and development of technologies and equipment for strategic purposes. ‘© These Public Sector Undertakings fall under the administrative control of the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. jor Achievements of DPSUs ‘Some of the major achievements by Defence Public Sector Undertakings include, Production of Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels, Damage Control Simulator, Fuel Barge, Fast Patrol Vessel for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard (by Goa Shipyard Limited); Akash Weapon System for Army, Long Range Surface to Air Missle for the Indian Navy and test fired the Anti-Tank Guided Missile (by Bharat Dynamics Limited); Visakhapatnam Class Destroyers and commissioned the INS Kalvari, the Scorpene class Submarine (by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited); secure CDMA Cellular Network at Srinagar (Bharat Electronics Limited); Anti Submarines Warfare Corvette, Offshore Patrol Vessel, Waterjet Fast Attack Aircraft and Landing Craft Utility (by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited) RANKS OF INDIAN ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE [SY Field Marshal Admiral of | the| Marshal of the Air Fie [Fore General Admiral Air Chief Ma Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | AirMarshal Rear Admiral Air Vice Marshal_| Commodore | Air Commodore Captain Group Captain [Lieutenant Colonel |Commander | Wing Commander Major Lieutenant ‘Squadron Leader Commander Cy Lieuten ‘Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenant INDIAN COSTAL GUARD (ICG) ‘+ Indian Costal Guard (ICG) protects India’s: territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and, exclusive economic zone. ‘+ The Indian Coast Guard was formally established on 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978,Defence and Human Rights Issues A413 + The Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces. | Western Region (W) ‘Mumbai — sm Region (E) Chennai Eastern Region (NE) [Kolkata Ron ‘Wester Region (NW) Gandhinagar PARAMILITARY FORCES Assam Rifles (1853) ‘© Aunit of paramilitary forces ‘© Aims at combating counter insurgency, civil unrest, terrorism, special weapons operations. Railway Protection Force (RPF) (1861)-Mission ‘Protect and safeguard railway passengers, passenger area ‘and railway property. ‘© Ensure the safety, security and boost the confidence ofthe traveling public in the Indian Railways. Central Reserve Railway Protection Force (CRPF) (1949) = Mission Counter Milltaney/Insurgency operations. Dealing with Left Wing Extremism Overall co-ordination of large scale security arrangement specially with regard to elections in disturbed areas ‘© Protection of VIPs and vital installations. ‘Checking environmental degradation and protection of local Flora and Fauna + Fig segresion ing war tine ipating in UN Peace Keeping Mission 2 Rescotand Reefopertonstthetine of Nowa abi. Border Security Force (BSF) (1965) - Mission ‘Promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas. ‘+ Prevent trans border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of Indi ‘Prevent smuggling and any othe illegal activity. ‘© Holding ground in les threatened sectors so longas the main attack does not develop ina particular sector and itis felt that the local situation is within the capability of BSF to deal with + Protetion of vital installations particular ait-felds against enemy commandoes/para troopers oF rads ‘Providing extension to the flanks of main defence line by the holding of strong points in conjunction with other units ‘Limited Aggressive action against paramilitary or iregular forces ofthe enemy within the overall plan of the Armed Forces ‘Acting as guides in an area of responsibility where routes are known, ‘© Guarding of prisoners of war camps. + Assistance in control of refugees. ‘+ Anti-infiltration duties in specified area Comprehensive Integrated border management system (clBMs) ‘+ CIBMS is designed to guard stretches where physical surveillance is not possible either due to inhospitable terrain or riverine borders. ‘+ It is a robust and integrated system that is capable of addressing the gaps inthe present system of border security by seamlessly integrating human resources, weapons, and high-tech surveillance equipment. ‘Components of CIBMSF * It includes smart border fencing with invisible electronic barrier on land, water, air and underground. * High-tech surveillance devices such as Sensors, thermal Imagers, UGS, Fiber Optical Sensors, Radar, Sonar hhave been mounted on different platforms like Aerostat, tower, poles etc. for round-the-clock surveillance of the international border. ‘+ Anefficient and dedicated communication network including fiberoptic cables and satellite communication for transmitting Centre where the BSF or other Indian security agencies can ‘monitor the border on real-time basi ‘+ CIBMS enables round-the-clock surveillance on border and under different weather conditions be it in dust storm, fog, rain or other severe weather situations, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) (1969)- Mission + Providing total security solutions. ‘+ Exposure to varied security environments ranging from highly disturbed areas in J&K, North East and Andhra Pradesh to ‘mafia infested coal fields of Jharkhand and West Bengal. ‘+ Rich experience in security and protection ofhighly sensitive establishments, Airports and Centres of economic growth, + Protection of heritage monument like Taj Mahal * Only Force to havea full-fledged Fire Wing comprising highly trained personnel, Extensive use of latest security gadgets, ‘+ Excellent training infrastructure. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) (1969) ~ Mission ‘+ To promote sense of security among the people living in the border area # Topreventirans-border crimes and unauthorized entries into ‘or ext fom the territory of India, + To prevent smuggling and other illegal activities. \do-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) (1962}- Mission + Vigil on the northern borders, detection and prevention of border violations, and promotion of the sense of security among the local populace. * Checkillegal immigration, trans-border smogeling and crimes. ‘+ Security to sensitive installations, banks and protected persons, Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of disturbance,nat General Study Involvement of Indian Army in Military Exercises- 2018-20 Sa Ps Ree Loca 1. Indra X Russia Babina Military Station, U.P, India 2_| Dharma Guardian 1 Japan Vairengle, Mizoram, India 3.__| Yudh Abhyas XIV USA ‘Chaubatia, Untarakhand India 4_| Prabal Dostyk It Kazakhstan ‘Otar Miltary area, Kazakhstan 3. | Nomadie Elephant “Mongolia Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Xi Mango! 6 Milex-2018 ‘BIMSTEC “Rundh military Station, Maharashira, India 7 | Ex-SCOPeace | Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCC) Chebarku, Russ Mission 8 Maitree Thailand ‘Chachoengsao, Thailand O_|_ Surya Kiran Xi Nepal Pithoragarh, Utarakhand, India 10. | Vijay Prahar ‘South-western Command® ‘Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, India Ti | Harimau Shaki Malaysia Thala Langat, Malays 2, Khanjar V Kyreyzstan Vairengte, Mizoram, India 13__[_Lamitye VI Seychelles Mahe, Seychelles 1. Shakti IV France Mailly-le-Camp, France 15__| _Vajra prahar United States Joint Base Lewis-Mechord, USA 16. Vinba xi Vietnam abalpur, india 17._| Yadh Abhyas-2019 United States/Assam Regiment Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, USA 18. | Changthang Prabar XIV Corps Super high altitude areas of Eastern Ladakh, India 3. Kazind Kazakhstan Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India 20. | Dastlik-2019 Uabekistan Chirchig Training Area, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2 Him Vijay TAFIXVII CorpsiV Comps Tigh Altitude Areas of Arunachal Pradesh, india Vajra Prahar | United States/US Army Special Forces/Para SF _|Joint Base Lewis/McChord, Washington, USA B, Dharm | Japan/Dogra Regliment/34ih Infantry Regiment, Ist Vairengle, Mizoram, India Guardian-2019 | Division of Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces UGSDF) | Tentr2019 ‘Russia722 Grenadiers (Ashoka Palin) Donguz taining ranges, Orenburg, Russia 25,_| Sindhu Sudarshan XX CorpsiX Comps Pokhran field fring range, Rajasthan, India 26. | Shakti-2019 French Army/21 The Sikh Regiment “Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, India 27 | Tiger Triumph | United Statesindian Army-19 Madras, 7 Guards | Eastem Seaboard (Kakinada) & Indian Navy-INS Jalashwa, INS Airavat & INS (Visakhapatnam), India Sandhayak/ IAF-MI 178 Rapid Action Medical ‘Team (RAMTYUSMC-Third Marine Divisio US Navy-USS Germantown, 28, | Sampriti-IX Bangladesh (42nd Bangladesh Infantry Umroi, Meghalaya, India Regiment)/20 Biher RegimentDefence and Human Rights Issues Pai} SPECIAL SECURITY FORCES Anti Terrorist Squad (1990) ‘© Aunit of government of Maharashtra to tackle menace and terrorism in collaboration with RAW and IB. ‘© Aims at tracking and neutralizing activities ofterror-groups, ‘mafia and other organized crime syndicates, and detecting rackets of counterfeit curtency notes and smuggling of narcotic substances, Intelligence Bureau (IB) 1887 ‘© Aunit of tndia’s internal intelligence agency © Tasked with intelligence collection in border areas along. with domestic intelligence responsibilities, Garud Commando Force (2004) + A special unit ofthe Indian Ait Force ‘© Garuds perform both war and peace time duties such as rescuing dovined amen and other forces fom behind enemy lines, suppression of enemy of air defense, provide support to other ae operations protecting the ae bases and othe vt infrastructure, counter terorism, antcjacking, hostage rescue, ad during natural calamities and military tasks in the interes ofthe nation, Ghatak Force ‘© A special unit of an infantry battalion in the Indian Army. 4 Performs task such as special reconnaissance, raids on enemy artillery postions airfields, supply dumps and tactical headquarters. Rapid Action Force (RAF) (1991) ‘© A specialized wing of the Indian CRPF (Cental Reserve Police Force), ‘© Theyare trained to deal with rots rot ike situations, erowd ‘contol, rescue and relief operations, and related unrest National Security Guard (NSG) (1984) # Its Federal Contingeney Deployment Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). * Aimed at performing counter hijacking tasks on land, sea, and air, bor disposal (seach, detection and neutralization Of IEDs), Post Blast Investigation and hostage rescue. National Investigation Agency (NIA) (2008) ‘© A federal agency established by the Indian Government, ‘Itaimsat rating prevention for existing and potential terrorist groupslindviduals alongside developing a storehouse of al terrorist related information. Marcos (1907) 4+ Aspecial force unit of Indian Navy, Is ereated to conduct special operations such as amphibious warfare, counter- terrorism, direct action, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, personne recovery, combat search and rescue, asymmetric warfare, foreign internal defense, counter proliferation Special Protection Group (1988) + Special Protection Group (SPG) is an elite foree which ‘guards only afew VIPS including the serving and ex- Prime ministers of India and their immediate families. + This elite force was formed by an act of the Parliament of India, + Personnel are drawn from Central Armed Police Forces and Railway Protection Force. + Provide socurity cover to PM before arrival of his plane in foreign country. RAW ‘© Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) established in 1968, + It’s primary foreign intelligence agency of India, + Aims at monitoring political, military, economic and scientific developments in countries which have direct bearing on India’s national security and the formulation of its foreign policy,coveting operations to safe guard India's National interests, moulding international public opinion withthe help of the strong and vibrant Indian diaspora, performing Anti ‘Terror Operations and neutralizing teror elements posing a threat to India, COBRA (2008) * Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) established in 2008, ‘It's a specialized unit of the CRPF created to counter the Naxalite problem in © They are specially trained in guerilla warfare to tackle the notorious naxalite groups in the country. They also master the techniques of camouflage, jungle warfare, parachute jumps, precision strikes and ambushes. CURRENT AFFAIRS DEFENCE Minister of Defence-Rajnath Singh Minister of State for Defence-Shriped Yesso Naik Chief of Defence Staff-General Bipin Rawat Chief ofthe Army taff- General Manoj Mukund Naravane CChiet of the Air Staff- Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria Chiet of the Naval Staff- Admiral Karambir Singh + The itst set of 5 Rafale airrafs landed in Ambala airbase ‘on July 29 to join Indian Air Force. Indian Government had signed a €7.87 billion Inter-Gavernmental Agreement with France's Dassault Aviation in 2016 for 36 fighter ets. The rest of 31 jets are tobe delivered by 2021, + Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020}-Defence Ministry releases policy draft to rake India among leading nations of world in defence sector. The daft sims at providing impetus to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, multiple announcements were sade under “AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package’ ‘Indian Navy inducted “Msareech’ — the Indigenously Developed Torpedo Decoy System. This ant-toredo decoy system has been developed indigenously by DRDO laboratories, Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) and the Naval Physical & Oceanographic416 General Study Laboratory (NPOL). Maareech Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS) is a torpedo detection and countermeasure system that offers a complete solution to detect and locate an incoming torpedo. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) ‘would undertake the production ofthis decoy system. This induction also given a major fillip to the Government's “Make in India’ initiative and the country’s resolve to become ‘AtmaNirbhar” in niche technology. + Fifth version of Exercise Indradhanush-2020 between The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF), United Kingdom jointly held at Air Force Station Hindan, The focus of this fifth edition of this exercise is “Base Defence and Force Protection’. Exercise Indradhanush provides a platform for the IAF and RAF to share and jointly validate strategies and tactics to counter terror threats to their installations. + Indian Navy participates in “PASSEX" exercise with US Navy off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Nuclear-powered aircraft carier USS Nimitz of the US Navy joined fleet of Indian warships for the drill. The exercise between the two navies took place in the midst of Indo-China confict in eastern Ladakh and Chinese activities in South China Sea. India carried out similar ‘exercises with the Japanese navy earlier. * Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed Licence ‘Agreement and Transfer of Technology (ToT) for Akash Missile Weapon System of Indian Army Variant with Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) ‘of DRDO. Akash missile system is the first medium range Surface to Air missle (SAM) produced in India which cean engage multiple targets from multiple directions. The missile fies at a speed of nearly 860 meters per second ata ‘maximum altitude of 18 km. IAF operationalised its no. 18 Squadron “Flying Bullets’. It has been equipped with fourth generation MKI Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas. The no.18 Squadron will be the second one after the 45 Squadron tobe equipped with Tejas “Tejas is the lightest and smallest aircraft in its group of fourth-generation supersonic combat aircraft. * India signed a $ 40 million deal with Armenia, Europe to supply 4 SWATHI weapon locating radars. The radars are capable of locating weapons and are developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and ‘manufactured by BEL (Bharat Electrons Limited). ‘+The Government of India signed Rs 1,500 erore deal with Russia to procure R-27 air-to-air missiles to be equipped on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft. The missile is developed by Russia and is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile for MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets + India signed a deal of $1,021 billion with the US to obtain 13 MK-45 Naval guns and related equipment. The MK- 45 Gun System will help India to conduct anti-surface warfare and ant-air defence missions while enkancing its interoperability with the U.S. and other allied forces. Human Rights Issues ‘© These are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, oF any other status ‘© These include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more ‘+ Nelson Mandela had stated ‘To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity’ INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTIONS AND BODIES: UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR): ‘© The 30 rights and freedoms include civil and politcal rights, like the right olf, liberty free speech and privacy and economic, social and cultural rights, lke the right to social security, health and education, ete India took active par in drafing ofthe UDHR, ‘The UDHR is nota treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations fr counties, ‘+ The UDHR, together with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols (on the complaints procedure and on the death penslty) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultura! Rights and is Optional Protocol, form the so- called International Bill of Human Rights. Other Conventions: ‘+ These include the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms ‘of Racial Discrimination (1965), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against ‘Women (1979), the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child (1989) and the Convention onthe Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), among others. India is a party to all these Conventions. Human Rights Council: ‘©The Human Rights Council is am inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human Tight, Itis made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. ‘© Themost imovative featur ofthe Human Rights Council {s the Universal Periodic Review, This unique mechanism involves a review of the human rights records ofall 192 LUN member states once every four years. ‘+ The Office ofthe High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the secretariat for the Human Rights Council ‘Amnesty International ‘© Aninterational organisation of volunteers who campaign for human rights. Ths organisation brings out independent reports onthe violation of human rights all overthe world,Defence and Human Rights Issues aat7 HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDIA Enunciated in the Constitution: Since inception, the Indian Constitution incorporated most ofthe rights enumerated inthe Universal Declaration in two parts, the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy. + Fundamental Rights: Articles 1210 35 of the Constitution ‘These include the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right Against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural & Educational Rights, Saving of Certain Laws and Right to Constitutional Remedies Directive Principles of State Policy: Article 36 to $1 of the Constitution. These include ‘right to social security, right to work, to five choice of employment, and protection against unemployment, right to equal pay for equal work, right to existence worthy of human dignity, right to free & compulsory education, equal justice & free legal aid and the principles of policy tobe followed by the State. Stator Provision: Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (as amended in 2019) provided for the constitution ofa National Human ‘Rights Commission atthe Union level, which sters State ‘Human Rights Commission in States and Human Rights Courts for better protection of Human Rights and for ‘matters connected there with or incidental thereto, Recent Evens: ‘The human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir (&K) following the dilution of Article 370 and the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) have brought renewed international focus on India's human rights practice — Since 2014, the government has cancelled the registration of more than 14,000 NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). It has also mainly targeted its own critics. = Scores of hate crimes against Muslims and other religious groups, ethnic groups, including Dalits and Adivasi (an indigenous trbsl people), as well ascaste and gender-based crimes, took place across the country in 2019, The Freedom in the World 2020 report ranked India a the 83rd poston, along with Timor-Leste and Senegal. India's score fell by four points to 7, the worst decline among the world's 25 largest democracies this year. — Measures Taken by Goverment during the Pandemic: ‘During the Corona pandemic, the government ensured the right to food of every person through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, so that no one would go hungry + Apart fiom this, wages have been increased under MGNREGA for the empowerment of workers in rural areas. The government diectly transferred money to the accounts of migrant labourers affected by Covid-19, to ensure the protection of thie rights ‘Human rights are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), asin the absence of human dignity one cannot hhope to drive sustainable development. The Covid-19 crisis has been fuelled by deepening poverty, rising inequalities, structural and entrenched discrimination and other gaps in buran rights protection. Only measures to close these gaps and advance human rights can ensure that people fully recover and build back a world that is better, more resilient, just, and sustainable, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) ‘The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) established in 1993, is an independent statutory body as per the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993 which was amended in 2006, ‘© Human Rights are an indispensable part of society and Human Rights in India are watched by NHRC. NHRC sets as a watchdog of human rights in the country. [NHRC looks over the ighs that are related to life, dignity, liberty and equality of the individual that is defined in Section 2(1) ofthe PHR Act. ‘+ Theyareguaranteedby the Constitution ofindi, embodied inthe international covenants and are enforceable by the courts of India. a5 well. ‘+ NHRC was established in compliance with the Paris Principles of Human Rights, 1991 which were adopted for the promotion and protection of Human Rights and were endorsed by the United Nations at its General Assembly of 1993, NHRC Composition - Members of NHRC ‘* The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is composed of a Chairperson and eight other members. ‘+ Those eight members are: ‘© Four fill-time members. ‘Chairman of NHRC Retired Chief Justice of India ‘Member 1 One who isfhas been a Judge of ‘Supreme Cour of India ‘Member 2 ‘One who isfhas been a Chief Justice of High Court ‘Two Members Candidates with the knowledge or practical experience in the matters of Human Rights Deemed Members Deemed members are chairpersons of (Ex-officio the below national commissions: Members) 1. National Commission for Minorities 2. National Commission for Scheduled Castes 3. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes 4, National Commission for Women