Modi govt appoints Sikh Harjit Singh Grewal as NCM chairperson
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Harjit Singh Grewal has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), ending a 15-month vacancy. He is the second Sikh to head the body under the Modi government, and his appointment is seen as politically significant ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.
Background
The NCM was established in 1993. Historically, the chairperson has mostly been from the Muslim community, except for Tarlochan Singh (2003-2006) and Iqbal Singh Lalpura (2022-2025), both Sikhs. The post had been vacant since April 2025 after Lalpura's term ended.
Key facts
Harjit Singh Grewal assumed charge as NCM chairperson on July 22, 2026.
He is the second Sikh to head NCM under the Modi government, after Iqbal Singh Lalpura.
The post was vacant for 15 months since Lalpura's term ended in April 2025.
Grewal is a senior BJP functionary and national executive committee member from Punjab.
His appointment is seen as significant ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.
The appointment notification was issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs on July 16, 2026.
Grewal will serve a three-year term or until further orders.
S. Munawari Begum (Muslim) took charge as NCM vice-chairperson, Glenn Souza Ticlo as Christian representative.
Berjis Desai (Parsi) joined the commission in March 2026.
NCM now has a chairperson and three members; three posts remain vacant.
Prelims pointers
- National Commission for Minorities (NCM) – statutory body under Ministry of Minority Affairs
- Established in 1993 under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
- Chairperson and members appointed by the central government
- Six minority communities notified: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis
- Term of chairperson and members: three years
- Harjit Singh Grewal – current chairperson (as of July 2026)
- Iqbal Singh Lalpura – previous chairperson (2022-2025)
- Tarlochan Singh – Sikh chairperson (2003-2006)
- Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi – chairperson (2017-2020)
- Naseem Ahmad – chairperson (2014-2017)
Mains angles
- Role and effectiveness of NCM in protecting minority rights
- Political considerations in appointments to constitutional/statutory bodies
- Representation of minority communities in official bodies
- Significance of NCM chairperson appointment in context of Punjab politics