National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions

The origin of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions dates back to the manifesto the UPA Government namely ‘National Common Minimum Programme’. The NCMP said that a Commission should be established for “minority educational institutions” which would provide affiliation to “minority professional institutions” to Central Universities.

The NCMEI Act was the result of detailed meeting at New Delhi on Minority Welfare and Education which was followed by discussions at “National Monitoring Committee on Minority Education”. The commission was then established in November 2004, by an ordinance of the government. The notification of the NCMEI Act happened in January 2005. The Commission is located at Jeevan Tara Building, Patel Chowk, New Delhi.

The Commission looks after the complaints about violation or deprivation of rights of the minorities to set up and manage educational bodies of their own choice. It was the 1st time that a commission of this kind was set up to safeguard the rights of the minorities in setting up of educational institutions.

National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions is a “quasi-judicial” commission which is bestowed with the powers and responsibilities of a Civil Court. It is headed by Delhi High Court judge. 2 members are also appointed by the Central Government. The Commission plays 3 kinds of roles namely adjudicatory function, recommendatory powers, advisory function. The commission takes the decision of the affiliation of any minority educational body.

NCMEI also has the powers to suggest and recommend the Central Government or the State Government regarding minority education or deprivation of the rights of the minorities in matters pertaining to education.

Powers of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions

• In case of any kind of dispute between a University and a minority academic institution, the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions has the power to take the final decision.
  
  
• National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions enjoys the powers of the civil court.
  
  

Functions of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions

• Recommend the State or Central Government on matters related to the education of the minorities.
  
  
• The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions can intervene in proceedings that involve the violation and deprivation of the minority’s educational rights.
  
  
• Undertake measures for the promotion and preservation of the status of the minority.
  
  
• Decide on all the questions pertaining to the position of minority educational institution.
  
  
• National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions can recommend to the Government for implementation of various programmes associated with the educational institutions of the minorities.