Minorities Rights Day in India 2024
Minorities Rights Day in India 2024 is being celebrated on December 18, 2024. Keep reading to learn more about Minorities Rights Day in India, its significance, and its history.
Deeksha Dixit22 Sept, 2025
Share
Minorities Rights Day in India is observed every year on 18th December to promote and protect the rights of minority communities. It is an opportunity to reflect on the constitutional safeguards provided to minorities and assess their efforts to address their concerns.
Minorities Rights Day 2024 focuses on creating awareness about the challenges minorities face and emphasising the need for inclusive development. Minorities Rights Day is being celebrated at the Scope Complex Auditorium in New Delhi (PIB).Minorities Rights Day in India 2024 Overview
Minorities Rights Day in India 2024 marks another year dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by minority communities. It is a significant occasion for government bodies, civil society organizations, and the public to come together and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to inclusive growth and equal rights.| Minorities Rights Day in India 2024 Overview | |
| Date Observed | December 18, 2024 |
| Historical Context | Align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Linguistic or Ethnic Minorities. |
| Key Objectives | Raise awareness of minority rights |
| Recognized Minorities | Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis), and Jains as per the National Commission for Minorities Act (1992). |
| Legal Framework | Governed by various constitutional provisions including Articles 15, 16, 25, 28, 29, and 30, ensure equality and protection of minority rights. |
| National Commission for Minorities (NCM) | Established to safeguard and promote the rights of minority communities in India. |
Celebration of National Minorities Rights Day 2024
Minorities Rights Day will be celebrated with a special event at the Scope Complex Auditorium in New Delhi. The event will be attended by dignitaries including the Minister of State for Minority Affairs and the Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities. National Minorities Rights Day 2024 highlights the importance of protecting minority rights and promoting equality. India’s Constitution ensures the rights of minorities, supporting their contributions to the country’s diverse culture and society. Celebrating this day strengthens India’s commitment to inclusion and unity.History of National Minorities Rights Day
Minorities Rights Day in India was first observed in 2013 . This day was established following the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities in 1992. This declaration emphasised the protection of minorities' identities and their equal rights to participate in public and cultural life. While there is no internationally agreed definition of minorities, according to the United Nations, a minority group is defined as a community that lacks social, political, and economic dominance and is numerically inferior within a specific country. India adopted the global commitment to protect minorities by marking 18th December as Minorities Rights Day. Over the years, this day has become a symbol of the nation's dedication to upholding minority rights.Who are Minorities in India?
Minorities play a crucial role in India's diversity and contribute significantly to its rich cultural heritage. While the Indian constitution does not define the term ‘minorities’ , it does recognise religious and linguistic minorities. Usually, minorities in India are groups which are numerically small. According to the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the following communities are recognised as minorities:- Muslims
- Christians
- Sikhs
- Buddhists
- Parsis (Zoroastrians)
- Jains
Rights of Minorities in India
The Constitution of India provides several rights and safeguards to minorities. These rights ensure equality and protect their unique identities:- Article 14: Equality before the law and equal protection of laws.
- Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Article 25 : Freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion.
- Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities by preserving their distinct language, script, and culture.
- Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
- Article 350B: Provision for the Special Officer for Linguistic minorities in India.
- Article 51A : Fundamental duty to promote harmony and the spirit of brotherhood among all sections of people.
Institutions for Minorities in India
The Indian government has set up a dedicated ministry along with a national commission to create an inclusive environment where minorities can thrive socially, economically, and politically.Ministry of Minority Affairs
The Ministry of Minority Affairs, established in 2006, is responsible for the formulation and execution of policies and schemes for the welfare of minorities. It aims to ensure social and economic justice while fostering inclusivity. Some key initiatives by the Ministry include:- Nai Udaan: Financial assistance for minorities to prepare for competitive exams like UPSC .
- Padho Pardesh: Educational loans for overseas studies.
- Nai Manzil: Skill development for minority youth.
- Seekho Aur Kamao: Employment-oriented skill development.
- USTTAD Scheme: Preservation of traditional crafts and art forms.
National Commission for Minorities
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) , is a Statutory body, established in 1992 under the National Commission for Minorities Act. It plays a crucial role in monitoring and safeguarding the rights of minority communities. Functions of NCM include:- Examining complaints related to minority rights violations.
- Advising the government on minority welfare policies.
- Studying and reporting on the social and economic conditions of minorities.
- Ensuring the effective implementation of constitutional safeguards.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| India International Science Festival | Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2024 | World AIDS Day 2024 |
| Universal Health Coverage Day 2024 | International Civil Aviation Day 2024 | World Soil Day 2024 |
Minorities Rights Day 2024 FAQs
Why is Minorities Rights Day observed in India?
Minorities Rights Day is observed to promote and safeguard the rights of minority communities in India and to create awareness about their contributions to society.
When is Minorities Rights Day celebrated?
Minorities Rights Day in India is observed on 18th December every year.
What are the key constitutional rights for minorities in India?
Key rights include the right to equality (Article 14), prohibition of discrimination (Article 15), and the right to preserve culture (Article 29).
What is the role of the Ministry of Minority Affairs?
The Ministry of Minority Affairs formulates and implements schemes for the social and economic upliftment of minority communities.
Which communities are recognised as minorities in India?
Communities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains are recognised as minorities in India.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.