Human Rights — Class 9 Social Science (Samacheer Kalvi)
TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 9 Social Science, Civics — Chapter 3. Universal Human Rights and their protection in India.
1. About this lesson
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." This chapter covers the evolution of human rights, the UDHR (1948), India's Fundamental Rights, and the role of the NHRC and SHRC in protecting citizens.
2. What are Human Rights?
- Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, regardless of nationality, sex, religion, race, or any other status.
- They are universal, inalienable, indivisible, and interdependent.
3. Evolution of Human Rights
| Milestone | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Magna Carta | 1215 | First document limiting the king's power |
| French Declaration of the Rights of Man | 1789 | Liberty, equality, fraternity |
| US Bill of Rights | 1791 | First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution |
| UN Charter | 1945 | Committed to promoting human rights |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) | December 10, 1948 | First global statement of human rights; 30 articles |
Human Rights Day: December 10 (anniversary of UDHR).
4. UDHR — Key Rights
The 30 articles cover:
- Right to life, liberty, and security.
- Freedom from slavery and torture.
- Right to equality before law.
- Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
- Right to education, work, and adequate standard of living.
5. Apartheid
- Apartheid was the policy of racial segregation and discrimination followed in South Africa (NOT South Sudan).
- Nelson Mandela led the anti-apartheid movement; imprisoned for 27 years.
- Apartheid ended in 1994; Mandela became South Africa's first black President.
6. Human Rights in India
Fundamental Rights (Part III, Constitution)
- Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28)
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32 — "heart and soul" of the Constitution — Dr. Ambedkar)
Human Rights Commissions
| Body | Established | Chairperson |
|---|---|---|
| NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) | 1993 (under Protection of Human Rights Act) | Former Chief Justice of India |
| SHRC (State Human Rights Commission) | State level | Former High Court Chief Justice |
Functions: Inquire into human rights violations, recommend compensation, promote human rights literacy.
7. Worked examples
Example 1. When is Human Rights Day? December 10 — anniversary of the UDHR (1948).
Example 2. Which country followed apartheid? South Africa.
Example 3. Who chairs the NHRC? A former Chief Justice of India.
8. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)
I. Choose the correct answer
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Apartheid was followed by — (a) South Sudan / (b) South Africa / (c) Nigeria / (d) Egypt. Ans: (b) South Africa.
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UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly in — (a) 1945 / (b) 1947 / (c) 1948 / (d) 1950. Ans: (c) 1948.
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Human Rights Day is celebrated on — (a) January 26 / (b) August 15 / (c) November 26 / (d) December 10. Ans: (d) December 10.
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The NHRC was established in India in — (a) 1991 / (b) 1992 / (c) 1993 / (d) 1995. Ans: (c) 1993.
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Which Article provides the Right to Constitutional Remedies? — (a) Article 14 / (b) Article 21 / (c) Article 32 / (d) Article 44. Ans: (c) Article 32.
II. Fill in the blanks
- UDHR contains 30 articles.
- The NHRC is chaired by a former Chief Justice of India.
- Apartheid ended in South Africa in 1994.
- Article 32 is called the heart and soul of the Constitution by Dr. Ambedkar.
- The French Declaration of the Rights of Man was in 1789.
III. Match the following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| UDHR | December 10, 1948 |
| Nelson Mandela | Anti-apartheid leader |
| NHRC | National Human Rights Commission |
| Article 32 | Right to Constitutional Remedies |
| Magna Carta | 1215 |
IV. Answer briefly
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What are human rights? — Basic rights and freedoms belonging to every person regardless of nationality, sex, religion, or race. Universal, inalienable, indivisible.
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What was apartheid? — Policy of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. Ended in 1994; Nelson Mandela led the anti-apartheid struggle.
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Write about the NHRC. — Established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act. Chaired by a former Chief Justice of India. Inquires into human rights violations, recommends compensation, promotes human rights awareness.
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What are Fundamental Rights? — Six rights in Part III of the Indian Constitution: Right to Equality, Freedom, against Exploitation, Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).
V. Answer in detail
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Discuss the evolution of human rights.
- Magna Carta (1215) — first limitation on king's power.
- French Declaration of Rights of Man (1789) — liberty, equality.
- US Bill of Rights (1791).
- UN Charter (1945).
- UDHR (December 10, 1948) — 30 articles; first global human rights declaration.
- India: Fundamental Rights (Part III). NHRC (1993), SHRCs.
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Explain the role of NHRC and SHRC.
- NHRC: National body, chaired by former CJI. Inquires into human rights violations by public servants/government. Can recommend compensation, visit jails, review safeguards.
- SHRC: State-level counterpart, chaired by former High Court Chief Justice. Similar functions within the state.
9. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Apartheid was in South Sudan. Fix: Apartheid was in South Africa.
- Mistake: UDHR was in 1945. Fix: UDHR was adopted in 1948. 1945 = UN Charter.
- Mistake: NHRC was established by the Constitution. Fix: NHRC was established by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 — a law, not constitutional body.
- Mistake: Article 14 is the heart and soul of the Constitution. Fix: Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) is the heart and soul.
10. Quick revision
- Civics Ch 3 · Human Rights.
- UDHR: December 10, 1948; 30 articles. Human Rights Day = December 10.
- Apartheid: South Africa (ended 1994). Nelson Mandela.
- India: Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 14–32). Article 32 = Right to Constitutional Remedies.
- NHRC: 1993, chaired by former CJI. SHRC: state level.
- Evolution: Magna Carta (1215) → French Declaration (1789) → US Bill of Rights (1791) → UDHR (1948).
