NCW receives 1.5 million complaints annually, domestic violence tops: Vijaya Rahatkar

National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar November 6, 2026 | Photo credit: PTI

The National Commission for Women receives around 1.5 million complaints annually, with the highest number of cases being domestic violence, said NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.

Speaking to PTI, Ms. Rahatkar said there are several ways, including the commission’s online portal, Management Information System (MIS), email, in person and its 24/7 helpline, how women can approach the NCW to register their complaints.

“We receive around 1.5 million complaints a year. If we look at the cases that fall under our mandate, domestic violence accounts for the highest number of complaints,” she said.

“No woman should feel that she cannot approach the NCW just because she did not know how to file a complaint,” she said, referring to the 14490 helpline and the commission’s website.

Ms. Rahatkar also highlighted the commission’s outreach initiative ‘Rashtriya Mahila Aayog Aapke Dwar’, where it holds public hearings in various states to reach out to women who may find it difficult to contact NCW.

“We decided that if these women can’t come to us, we will go to them,” she said.

She said since she assumed the post of NCW Chairperson, the commission has conducted more than 200 personal public hearings in villages and other places across the country in the last 1.5 years.

“We met a large number of women and tried to solve their problems,” she said, adding that NCW also runs programs to create awareness about women’s legal rights and build their confidence.

Ms. Rahatkar said that NCWs should be seen by women as a “maayka” (mother’s home).

“I have always told women and daughters across the country that the National Commission for Women should feel like their maayka – their maternal home. You should not be afraid or hesitate to approach the commission,” she said.

“When a woman faces a problem, who does she turn to first? She goes to her mother. Similarly, the commission should be like a maternity home for women. They can turn to us without fear or hesitation,” she added.

Published – 10 Nov 2026 10:43 IST