The National Commission for Women Act, 1990

(1)This Act may be called the National Commission forWomen Act, 1990. (2) It extends to the whole of India 1***. (3) It shall come into force on such date2asthe Central Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- (a) "Commission" means the National Commission for Women constituted under section 3; (b) "Member" means a Member of the Commission and includes the Member-Secretary; (c) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

(1) The Central Government shallconstitute a body to be known as the National Commission for Women to exercise the powers conferredon, and to perform the functions assigned to, it under this Act. (2) The Commission shall consist of-- (a) a Chairperson, committed to the cause of women, to be nominated by the CentralGovernment; (b) five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability,integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management ofan industry or organisation committed to increasing the employment potential of women, women'svoluntary organisations (including women activists), administration, economic development, health,education or social welfare: Provided that at least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to theScheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively; (c) a Member-Secretary to be nominated by the Central Government, who shall be-- (i) an expert in the field of management, organisational structure or sociological movement,or (ii) an officer who is a member of a civil service of the Union or of an all-India service orholds a civil post under the Union with appropriate experience.

(1)The Chairpersonand every Member shall hold office for such period, not exceeding three years, as may be specified by theCentral Government in this behalf. (2) The Chairperson or a Member (other than the Member-Secretary who is a member of a civilservice of the Union or of an all-India service or holds a civil post under the Union) may, by writing andaddressed to the Central Government, resign from the office of Chairperson or, as the case may be, of theMember at any time. (3) The Central Government shall remove a person from the office of Chairperson or a Memberreferred to in sub-section (2) if that person-- (a) becomes an undischarged insolvent; (b) gets convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which in the opinion of theCentral Government involves moral turpitude; (c) becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; (d) refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; (e) is, without obtaining leave of absence from the Commission, absent from three consecutivemeetings of the Commission; or (f) in the opinion of the Central Government has so abused the position of Chairperson orMember as to render that person's continuance in office detrimental to the public interest: Provided that no person shall be removed under this clause until that person has been given areasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter. (4) A vacancy caused under sub-section (2) or otherwise shall be filled by fresh nomination. (5) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, theChairperson and Members shall be such as may be prescribed.

(1) The Central Government shall providethe Commission with such officers and employees as may be necessary for the efficient performance ofthe functions of the Commission under this Act. (2) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, theofficers and other employees appointed for the purpose of the Commission shall be such as may beprescribed.