MPPSC 2022 Prelims Q23: Analyze the statements with reference to the National Human

Q: What is the answer to MPPSC 2022 Prelims Q23?

C or D (both accepted by the official key). Correct — C and D (both accepted). Statement (ii) — that the NHRC also conducts research in the field of human rights — is a genuine Commission function under Section 12(g) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and statement (i) — that the Commission encourages the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the human-rights field — is likewise a real function under the same Section. Because both statements are independently true, option (d) is squarely correct. Option (c), which frames statement (i) as the 'correct explanation' of statement (ii), was also given credit in the official key — though, strictly, the two statements describe two separate NHRC functions (encouraging civil-society effort and conducting the Commission's own research) rather than a genuine cause-and-explanation pair; the grace credit for (c) most likely reflects that ambiguity in what is otherwise a standard 'which statements are true' format.

MPPSC 2022 Prelims Paper-I · Question 23 of 100

Verified against the official question paper. Answer as per the official MPPSC answer key.

Analyze the statements with reference to the National Human Rights Commission: (i) The Human Rights Commission encourages organizations working in the field of Human Rights. (ii) The work of the Commission is also to conduct research in the field of Human Rights. Choose the correct answer:

(a)Statement (i) is true.
(b)Statement (ii) is true.
(c)Statement (i) is the correct explanation of Statement (ii).
(d)Both Statements (i) and (ii) are true.

Answer

C or D (both accepted by the official key)

Why

Correct — C and D (both accepted). Statement (ii) — that the NHRC also conducts research in the field of human rights — is a genuine Commission function under Section 12(g) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and statement (i) — that the Commission encourages the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the human-rights field — is likewise a real function under the same Section. Because both statements are independently true, option (d) is squarely correct. Option (c), which frames statement (i) as the 'correct explanation' of statement (ii), was also given credit in the official key — though, strictly, the two statements describe two separate NHRC functions (encouraging civil-society effort and conducting the Commission's own research) rather than a genuine cause-and-explanation pair; the grace credit for (c) most likely reflects that ambiguity in what is otherwise a standard 'which statements are true' format.

Why the others are wrong

(a)Statement (i) is true. — Incomplete — statement (i) is indeed true, but so is statement (ii); picking only one understates the correct answer.
(b)Statement (ii) is true. — Incomplete — statement (ii) is indeed true, but so is statement (i); picking only one understates the correct answer.

Concept

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, has a wide statutory mandate under Section 12 that goes well beyond inquiring into complaints — it also reviews treaties and legal safeguards for human rights, promotes human-rights literacy, encourages the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the field, and undertakes and promotes research on human rights.

MPPSC often lists several genuine-but-separate NHRC functions as 'statements' and asks which are true — the trap is assuming only one function can be right when the Act actually grants the Commission a broad, multi-part mandate.

Key facts

NHRC's Section 12 functions include: inquiry into complaints (suo motu or on petition), reviewing constitutional/legal safeguards, encouraging NGOs working on human rights, promoting research in the human-rights field, and spreading human-rights literacy
Chairperson of the NHRC must be a retired Chief Justice of India
NHRC's recommendations are recommendatory, not binding, on the government
NHRC is a statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 — not a constitutional body

Study next

Composition & appointment of NHRC (PM-chaired selection committee)State Human Rights Commissions — the parallel state-level bodiesProtection of Human Rights Act, 1993 — the full Section 12 list of functionsRecommendatory vs binding powers of statutory commissionsConstitutional vs statutory bodies (NHRC, National Commission for Backward Classes, etc.)

Common traps

Assuming NHRC's role is limited to complaint inquiry and missing its research/education/NGO-encouragement functions
Treating NHRC's recommendations as legally binding on the government

MPPSC frequently lists 2-3 genuine NHRC functions as separate statements and asks which are true — the safe approach is to know the full Section 12 list rather than assume only inquiry counts.

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Practice

practice — not a real PYQ
Under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which of the following is NOT a function of the NHRC?
- (a)Inquiring into complaints of human rights violation
- (b)Reviewing safeguards under the Constitution for human rights
- (c)Awarding compensation directly enforceable like a civil court decree
- (d)Promoting research in the field of human rights
Answer(c) NHRC's findings and recommendations are recommendatory, not directly enforceable like a civil court decree.
practice — not a real PYQ
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission must have held which of the following offices?
- (a)Chief Justice of a High Court
- (b)Chief Justice of India
- (c)Attorney General of India
- (d)Chief Election Commissioner
Answer(b) A retired Chief Justice of India, as required under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.