19 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Polity & GovernanceSocial IssuesNEWS

Delhi HC Questions Delay in Filling DCW Vacancies

Delhi High Court directs government to respond on filling Delhi Commission vacancies.

The Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to respond on steps taken to fill vacant posts in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). The court emphasized the importance of the commission's functions for women's welfare and questioned the delay in filling vacancies.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation plea filed by Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh, who claimed the DCW office has been "closed" since January 24. The petitioner highlighted Delhi's high crime rate against women, citing the NCRB report.

Key Facts

The Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to respond on steps taken to fill vacant posts in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

The court emphasized the importance of the commission's functions for women's welfare.

The court questioned the delay in filling vacancies.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation plea filed by Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh.

The petitioner claimed the DCW office has been "closed" since January 24.

Delhi recorded 13,000 crimes against women, according to the Crime in India 2023 report of the National Crime Records Bureau released in September 2025.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Role of women's commissions in safeguarding women's rights and addressing gender-based violence.

Potential questions on the structure, functions, and challenges faced by state women's commissions.

In Simple Words

The Delhi Commission for Women is like a special group that helps women in Delhi. They look into problems like harassment and unfair treatment. Right now, some important jobs in the group are empty, and the court is asking why they haven't been filled.

India Angle

In India, many women face challenges like domestic violence and discrimination. The DCW is supposed to be there to help them, but it can't do its job well if it doesn't have enough people working there.

For Instance

Imagine your local police station is short-staffed. It would take longer for them to respond to emergencies. Similarly, if the DCW is understaffed, women in need might not get help quickly.

If the DCW isn't working properly, women might not get the protection and support they need. This affects everyone who cares about fairness and safety for women.

An empty office can't protect anyone.

Visual Insights

Delhi HC Questions Delay in Filling DCW Vacancies

Highlights from the news article regarding the Delhi High Court's concerns about vacancies in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and the petitioner's claims about the DCW office being 'closed'.

DCW Office 'Closed' Since: January 24
Petitioner: Sudhakar Singh

More Information

Background

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) is a statutory body constituted to safeguard the rights and interests of women in Delhi. It was established to address issues of violence against women, discrimination, and other forms of injustice. The DCW plays a crucial role in investigating complaints, providing counseling, and recommending measures to improve the status of women. The functioning of State Women's Commissions is governed by the laws and guidelines established by the respective state governments. These commissions often face challenges such as limited resources, staffing shortages, and bureaucratic hurdles, which can impede their effectiveness. Timely filling of vacancies is essential to ensure that the commission can effectively carry out its mandate and provide necessary support to women in need. The current situation highlights the importance of ensuring that such commissions are adequately staffed and resourced to fulfill their responsibilities. Delays in filling vacancies can undermine the commission's ability to address the high crime rate against women, as cited by the petitioner, and can erode public trust in the institution's effectiveness.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increased focus on strengthening the institutional mechanisms for women's safety and empowerment. Several states have launched initiatives to improve the functioning of their respective State Women's Commissions, including measures to expedite the filling of vacancies and enhance their capacity to address complaints of violence against women. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also been actively advocating for greater autonomy and resources for State Women's Commissions. The NCW has been working with state governments to streamline procedures and improve coordination between different agencies involved in addressing women's issues. Several committees have been formed to review the functioning of women's commissions and suggest reforms to enhance their effectiveness. Looking ahead, there is a growing recognition of the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the challenges faced by women. This includes strengthening legal frameworks, improving access to justice, and promoting gender equality in all spheres of life. The timely filling of vacancies in institutions like the DCW is a crucial step in ensuring that women have access to effective remedies and support systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) in the news recently?

The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Delhi government to respond to the delay in filling vacant posts in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). This direction came after a public interest litigation highlighted the importance of the DCW's functions for women's welfare, especially considering Delhi's high crime rate against women.

2. What is the role of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW)?

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) is a statutory body established to safeguard the rights and interests of women in Delhi. It addresses violence, discrimination, and injustice against women by investigating complaints, providing counseling, and recommending measures to improve women's status.

3. What key facts about the DCW are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?

For the UPSC Prelims, remember that the DCW is a statutory body, its primary function is to safeguard women's rights in Delhi, and it addresses issues like violence and discrimination. Also, note that the Delhi High Court has recently questioned the delay in filling vacancies within the DCW.

4. How might the delay in filling DCW vacancies impact common citizens, especially women in Delhi?

The delay in filling vacancies can hinder the DCW's ability to effectively address complaints of violence and discrimination against women. This can lead to delayed justice and reduced support for victims, potentially increasing their vulnerability. A fully functional DCW is crucial for ensuring women's safety and empowerment in Delhi.

5. What is the significance of the NCRB data mentioned in the context of the DCW?

The NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data, specifically the Crime in India report, highlights the crime rate against women in Delhi. The petitioner in the PIL cited this data to emphasize the urgent need for a fully functional DCW to address the high incidence of crimes against women in the city. In 2023, 13,000 crimes against women were recorded in Delhi.

6. What are some recent developments related to strengthening State Women's Commissions?

Recent developments include increased focus on strengthening institutional mechanisms for women's safety and empowerment. Several states have launched initiatives to improve the functioning of their respective State Women's Commissions, including measures to expedite the filling of vacancies and enhance their capacity to address complaints of violence against women.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW)? 1. It is a constitutional body established by an amendment to the Constitution of India. 2. It is a statutory body constituted to safeguard the rights and interests of women in Delhi. 3. The Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh serves as the ex-officio chairperson of the DCW.

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The DCW is a statutory body, not a constitutional body. It was established by an act of the Delhi government, not by a constitutional amendment. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The DCW is indeed a statutory body constituted to safeguard the rights and interests of women in Delhi. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The petitioner in the case is Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh, but he is not the chairperson of the DCW. He filed a public interest litigation regarding the vacancies in the DCW.

2. In the context of the news regarding vacancies in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), consider the following statements: 1. The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to respond on steps taken to fill vacant posts in the DCW. 2. The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by a Member of Parliament from Buxar, Bihar. 3. The petitioner cited the NCRB report to highlight Delhi's high crime rate against women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Delhi High Court indeed directed the Delhi government to respond on the steps taken to fill vacant posts in the DCW. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Sudhakar Singh, a Member of Parliament from Buxar, Bihar. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The petitioner cited the NCRB report to highlight Delhi's high crime rate against women, which was a key argument in the PIL.

3. Which of the following is NOT a function typically associated with State Commissions for Women?

A.Investigating complaints related to the deprivation of women's rights.
B.Recommending legislative measures to improve the condition of women.
C.Directly enacting laws related to women's rights.
D.Participating and advising on the planning process of socio-economic development of women.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Option C is the correct answer. State Commissions for Women do not have the power to directly enact laws. Law-making is the function of the legislature (State Legislative Assembly). The Commissions can only recommend legislative measures to the government. The other options are typical functions of State Commissions for Women.