NHRC Convenes High-Level Meeting of Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
NEW DELHI — 24, January, 2026 – Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), underscored the critical agency of Special Rapporteurs and Monitors on Friday, describing them as the “eyes, ears, heart, and soul” of the nation’s premier rights watchdog.
Addressing a high-level assembly in the capital, Justice Ramasubramanian characterized these officials as the Commission’s “foot soldiers,” praising their dedication to societal welfare over personal interest. He emphasized that their field-level vigilance remains the primary mechanism for ensuring that the dividends of national development effectively reach the common citizen.
Justice V. Ramasubramanian, the Chairperson, affirmed that appointments to these roles adhere to rigorous statutory standards through a transparent shortlisting mechanism, predicated on impeccable credentials, domain expertise, and congruence with priority thematic domains.
This methodology guarantees the optimal alignment of subject-matter specialists with pertinent areas of oversight, thereby fortifying the efficacy of monitoring, reporting, and advisory mandates. He reiterated the Commission’s steadfast commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and public service ethos across all institutional functions.
The Chairperson exhorted them to function as the Commission’s foot soldiers and to concentrate on small yet meaningful incremental interventions, observing that even extending relief to a single household would justify the very purpose of their appointments.
NHRC, India Member Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani observed that the role of Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors of the Commission entails not merely authority but also a deep ethical and moral responsibility.
Drawing from field-level assessments, she pointed out that several long-standing concerns continue to warrant urgent attention, including overcrowding, instances of medical negligence, lack of gender and child sensitivity, delays in grievance redressal, and the absence of effective follow-up mechanisms, among others.
Reports, she emphasised, must transcend mere documentation and serve as instruments of accountability.
Effective monitoring, she noted, should translate into corrective measures, institutional reforms, and tangible improvements in the lives of vulnerable populations.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, NHRC Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal highlighted the crucial role of Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors in safeguarding and advancing human rights, particularly for the most disadvantaged sections of society.
The Chairperson exhorted the Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors to disseminate awareness of the Commission’s diverse outreach initiatives and accessible modalities for approaching it, including the recently inaugurated Mobile App. Shri Samir Kumar, Joint Secretary of NHRC India, delivered a comprehensive exposition on the human rights jurisprudence framework, organizational architecture, complaint redressal mechanisms, advisories, core groups, operational guidelines, and the roles of Special Rapporteurs and Monitors, inter alia. In the course of the proceedings, each Special Rapporteur and Monitor proffered insights on safeguarding human rights and dignity for all.
They shared their experiences, areas of concern where everyone needs to join hands and work together.
The meeting was attended by 30 Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors, which included eminent persons from diverse areas of expertise, including former civil servants, former law enforcement officers, representatives of civil society, academia, diverse gender identities and the differently-abled community, among others.
The list of Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors engaged for a three-year period is enclosed.
The list of newly appointed Special Rapporteurs for a period of three years, with effect from 23rd December 2025, is provided below. For further details, please visit the link: https://nhrc.nic.in/about-us/special-rapporteur
1. Shri Akhil Kumar Shukla
2. Ms. Shomita Biswas
3. Shri Upendra Baghel
4. Shri Mohammad Jamshed
5. Shri Nityanand Srivastava
6. Ms. Sadhna Rout
7. Shri Subhash Chandra
8. Shri Santosh Kumar Satapathy
9. Shri Praveen Sinha
10. Ms. Suchitra Sinha
11. Shri K. Padma Kumar
12. Shri Devendra Kumar Nim
13. Shri Ashit Mohan Prasad
14. Dr. Keshav Kumar
15. Shri Syed Ahmed Baba
The list of newly appointed Special Monitors for a period of three years, with effect from 2nd January 2026, is provided below. For further details, please visit the link: https://nhrc.nic.in/about-us/special-monitor
1. Prof. Kanhaiya Tripathi
2. Shri Ajay Bhatnagar
3. Shri Dhananjay Tingal
4. Shri R. Hemanth Kumar
5. Shri D. S. Dhopala
6. Dr. Purva Mittal
7. Shri Balkrishan Goel
8. Gopi Shankar Madurai
9. Shri Uma Kant
10. Dr. Sharon Menezes
11. Smt. Arti Ahuja
12. Shri V. B. Kumar
13. Dr. Poonam Malakondaiah
14. Shri Hari Nath Mishra
15. Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Nayak
16. Dr. Muktesh Chander
17. Dr. Vijay Kumar
18. Shri R. K. Srinivasan
