National Integration Council

Introduction

• The National Integration Council (NIC) is an Extra-Constitutional and Non-Statutory (Non-Legal) advisory body of the Government of India.
• It was constituted to promote National Integration, Unity, Social Harmony and Communal Amity.
• The Council serves as a platform for dialogue and consensus-building on issues affecting the unity and integrity of the nation.

Establishment of National Integration Council

• Established: 1961
• First Meeting: June 1962
• Established by: Government of India on the recommendation of the National Integration Conference (1961).
• Nature: Extra-Constitutional & Non-Statutory Body

Important Correction

Older books mentioning that the NIC was established in 1986 are incorrect.

• The National Integration Council was originally constituted in 1961.
• It was reconstituted several times, including in 1980, 1990, 2005, and subsequent years.

Objectives of National Integration Council

The National Integration Council aims to:

• Promote National Unity and Integrity.
• Strengthen Communal Harmony.
• Promote Secularism.
• Prevent Communalism, Regionalism, Casteism, Linguism, and Extremism.
• Encourage peaceful resolution of social conflicts.
• Protect the constitutional values of equality and fraternity.

Composition of National Integration Council

Chairperson

• Prime Minister of India

Members

The Council includes representatives from diverse sections of society, such as:

Union Government

• Union Cabinet Ministers
• Ministers of State (when nominated)

State Governments

• Chief Ministers of all States
• Lieutenant Governors / Administrators of Union Territories

Political Parties

• Leaders of National Political Parties
• Representatives of Regional Political Parties

Other Members

• Members of Parliament
• Representatives of Industry and Business
• Representatives of Labour Organisations
• Representatives of Women’s Organisations
• Representatives of Minority Communities
• Representatives of Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes
• Eminent Educationists
• Journalists and Media Persons
• Public Intellectuals
• Civil Society Representatives

Functions of National Integration Council

Promote National Integration

• Suggest measures to strengthen national unity and social cohesion.

Address Communal Issues

• Discuss issues relating to:
  
  • Communal Violence
  • Religious Harmony
  • Social Conflicts
  • Regional Tensions

Policy Recommendations

• Recommend policies to the Government for:
  
  • Maintaining communal peace.
  • Promoting secular values.
  • Preventing hate-based violence.

Advisory Role

• Acts as a forum for consultation between:
  
  • Union Government
  • State Governments
  • Political Parties
  • Civil Society

Major Issues Discussed

The Council has deliberated on:

• Communal Violence
• Religious Extremism
• Terrorism
• Insurgency
• Regionalism
• Caste-based Violence
• Fake News & Hate Speech
• Social Media Misuse
• National Security affecting Social Harmony

Nature of Recommendations

• The recommendations of the National Integration Council are Advisory.
• They are not legally binding on the Government.

Meetings

• Meetings are held as and when required.
• There is no fixed constitutional or statutory schedule.

Exam Note: The Council has met infrequently in recent years and has not been formally abolished.

Present Status

• The National Integration Council continues to exist as an advisory body.
• However, it has not met for several years, making it largely inactive, though it has not been dissolved.

National Integration Council vs National Development Council

Important Constitutional Linkages

Although the National Integration Council is not a Constitutional Body, it promotes the values enshrined in:

Important Facts

• Established: 1961
• First Meeting: 1962
• Chairperson: Prime Minister
• Nature: Extra-Constitutional & Non-Statutory Body
• Main Objective: National Integration, Communal Harmony & Social Cohesion
• Recommendations: Advisory
• Current Status: Exists but largely inactive