The Union Government set up the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. Initially five religious communities, viz., Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) were notified as minority communities by the Union Government. Further vide notification dated 27th January 2014, Jains were also notified as another minority community.

Union Government constituted National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi and State Government constituted State Minorities Commissions in their respective State Capitals. These organisations are set-up to safeguard and protect the interests of minorities as provided in the Constitution of India and laws enacted by the Parliament and the State Legislatures.

Aggrieved persons belonging to the minority communities may approach the concerned State Minorities Commissions for redressal of their grievances. Moreover,they may also send their representations to the National Commission for Minorities, after exhausting all other official mechanism of remedies available to them. Persons belonging to Minority Community can call National Commission for Minorities on the Toll Free No. 1800-11-00-88.

For any query related to any scheme of Ministry of Minority Affairs, please call Helpline number 1800-11-20-01.