Speaking at the 12 October event, CJI Surya Kant said human rights bodies must reach those least able to make themselves heard.

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• The National Human Rights Commission held its 33rd Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 12 October 2026, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest.
• The commission was constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act.
• A national conference titled "Water as the Elixir of Life: Advancing Human Dignity through the Right to Water" was held alongside the function.
• The CJI said courts must intervene when constitutional rights are violated, while human rights commissions must investigate complaints and identify systemic failures.
• He said human rights institutions should be judged by whether they reach those least able to make themselves heard, not just by the number of cases decided.
• He noted that constitutional courts use writ jurisdiction under Articles 32 and 226, while human rights commissions have vital fact-finding machinery.
• The CJI stressed the role of State Human Rights Commissions, saying their proximity to affected communities makes them better placed to investigate local violations.
• In 33 years the NHRC has registered over 24 lakh cases, including 3,100 suo motu cases, and disposed of more than 23 lakh, a disposal rate above 98 percent.
• The commission has recommended monetary relief of more than Rs 274 crore in 9,085 cases to victims of human rights violations.
• The CJI said human rights include access to healthcare, food, shelter, livelihood and a clean environment, and linked them to safe drinking water.
• He said the new NHRC India mobile application will let citizens file complaints, track their progress and access information easily.
• NHRC chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian, a former Supreme Court judge, also addressed the event.

Tags: NHRC, HumanRights, RightToWater