You can file an NHRC complaint online through HRCNet without paying a complaint registration fee. Select the state where the incident happened, choose the National Human Rights Commission, verify your mobile number and enter the incident details. The portal says a successful submission receives a unique diary number, which you can use to track the complaint. First check whether the alleged violation falls within the commission's remit.
| Question | Official position |
|---|---|
| Who can complain? | The victim or someone acting on the victim's behalf |
| Registration fee | No fee charged by NHRC |
| Important time limit | Complaints about incidents more than one year old are ordinarily not entertained |
| Online reference | Unique diary number after submission |
| Help | NHRC toll free number 14433 |
Who can file an NHRC complaint?
The commission's complaint registration guidelines allow a victim or another person acting on their behalf to raise an alleged human rights violation involving action or inaction by a public authority. The document includes unlawful detention, custodial violence, bonded labour, child labour and failures to act on serious complaints among the issues it handles.
A useful complaint explains both the harm and the authority's involvement. For instance, an allegation that officials failed to act should identify the office approached, what was reported and what response followed. A bare account of a private disagreement may not establish that connection. Property disputes and matrimonial or family disputes are among the matters the guidelines say are ordinarily not entertained.
This is a statutory complaints mechanism, rather than a cash benefit scheme. There is no standard payment amount for registering a complaint. Whether an inquiry proceeds and what relief may be recommended depend on the facts and the commission's assessment. Filing a form does not establish wrongdoing or guarantee compensation.
How to file an NHRC complaint online
Start with the official HRCNet complaint filing page. Its opening screen asks for the incident state and the commission to which the complaint should be submitted. HRCNet serves NHRC and participating State Human Rights Commissions, so check this selection carefully. Selecting a commission is part of the filing process, not an indication that the matter has been accepted.
- Select the state where the incident occurred and choose NHRC if that is the intended recipient.
- Enter your mobile number and complete the one time password verification requested by the portal.
- Fill the mandatory fields for the complainant, victim, incident and relief sought.
- Use the preview to check the account before final submission.
- Attach supporting documents if required. The page specifies PDF documents.
- Choose whether the victim's and complainant's names should appear on the website.
- After submitting, keep the unique diary number for tracking.
The published NHRC operational guide asks for structured details in English, except the gist of the incident. Its wider complaint policy permits Hindi, English and languages in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule. The distinction matters: the language accepted for a complaint and the instructions for individual online fields are separate questions. Follow the instructions displayed on the form.
What details and documents should you prepare?
Keep the complainant's full name, correspondence address, state, district, PIN code and contact details ready. The guide separately requests the victim's name and address, along with fields concerning age, gender, disability, religion and caste. If you are reporting for someone else, keep your details separate from theirs. The portal marks mandatory fields with an asterisk.
The incident section asks for the exact place, state, district and date, an incident category and a brief account of the allegations. The relief section asks for the name, designation and address of the public servant or authority concerned and the action sought. It also asks whether the same incident is before a court or State Human Rights Commission. Answer that question accurately rather than omitting an existing proceeding.
As practical preparation, arrange relevant correspondence and other supporting records in date order. Make the summary understandable on its own: who was affected, what happened, when and where it happened, and which authority was involved. The commission's FAQ says complaints should be self contained and that further information or affidavits may be requested. An attachment should support the account rather than replace it.
How to check NHRC complaint status and get help
Open HRCNet's Search Complaint facility and select the commission where you registered. The search screen offers parameters including diary number, case or file number, incident date, victim name and complainant name. Use the reference issued for your submission and retain a copy of what you filed so you can identify the correct matter.
Check the time and jurisdiction limits before filing. NHRC ordinarily excludes incidents more than one year old, matters pending before courts, anonymous or vague complaints and frivolous matters. Its detailed guidelines also address parallel proceedings before commissions. A diary number records submission; it does not override these restrictions or promise a decision within a fixed number of days.
For assistance, NHRC lists 14433 as its toll free number. Its guidance also allows complaints by post on plain paper with the complainant's name, signature and complete contact details. The online route described here reflects the public pages checked on 14 November 2026; this guide does not announce a new filing rule.
If your problem needs a different route, read our guides to CPGRAMS grievance tracking, free legal aid eligibility and checking an existing court case.
