National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) works to eliminate discrimination against Dalits, who make up over 16% of India's population. It drives systemic change through advocacy, mobilizing over 350 organizations, and strengthening the government's response to protect Dalit rights, including economic and women's rights. Despite government programs, funds are underutilized and have not improved Dalits' economic status. NCDHR conducts research, trains civil society, and advocates for policy changes to help Dalits access their rights and impact the community nationally.

1. MODEL - NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
NCDHR works to eliminate discrimination based on caste, and protect the basic human rights of Dalits (also known as
Scheduled Castes), who constitute over 16% of India’s total population. NCDHR drives systemic change by strengthening
the response of the government and justice system, as well as mobilizing civil society through a coalition of over 350
organizations, to protect and demand these rights, including economic and women’s rights.
THE PROBLEM
Despite numerous government schemes to benefit
Dalits, the intended funds are under-utilized, and have
not impacted the economic status of Dalits. Despite
legal safeguards and policies to address injustices, the
lack of enforcement has allowed for unchecked
violence against Dalits.
NCDHR’s RESPONSE
NCDHR conducts research on public policy
implementation and law enforcement, which is
disseminated widely and used for advocacy with the
government. It also trains civil society and mobilizes
citizens to access their rights, to impact the Dalit
community at a national level.
National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
Founded: 1998 | Head Office: New Delhi | Coverage: Pan-India | Full-Time Staff: 45
Budget (2013-14): Organization – INR 5.2 crore; Governance – INR 5.2 crore
HOW DID IT EVOLVE?
National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Economic Rights: Monitors the Union budget and 14 state budgets
to track allocations and implementation of government schemes;
trains organizations across sectors to use budget analysis to address
exclusion of Dalits; has set up 12 budget centers which mobilize
local volunteers to empower Dalits to access their entitlements
under various schemes - over 10,000 reached in the past year.
Women’s Rights: Promotes leadership and political participation by
Dalit women, builds the capacity of Dalit women elected
representatives.
Civil and Political Rights: Mobilizes volunteers across 10 states to
ensure access to justice to survivors of violence; monitors the crimi-
nal justice system; sensitizes the police and judiciary on Dalit rights;
advocates for changes in policy.
Exclusion in Disasters: Monitors prevention and relief processes for
disasters, to ensure that the systemic response does not exclude
Dalit communities.
International Advocacy: Engages with bodies such as the UN and
Human Rights Council to catalyze international campaigns.
NCDHR’s interventions are implemented under various national
movements, with the help of partner non-profits and volunteers across
22 states. Its model involves evidence building through research and
public interest litigation, sustained engagement with government,
training of stakeholders, informing legislation, grassroots community
mobilization and media outreach. Its activities span:
Started as a network of
organizations and individuals to
address the issue of violence
against Dalits, and increase
visibility of Dalit issues through
conferences, campaigns and
international forums
Began focusing on grassroots
mobilization, campaigns, and
systematic monitoring of the
justice system; set up a national
secretariat and 14 state
chapters
Structured and expanded the
scope of its work under four
movements: to protect
economic rights, women’s
rights, land rights, and civil and
political rights
National campaign began to
gain momentum; initiated
research on budgets of
public schemes to build
evidence for advocacy,
strengthening access to
justice and women’s rights
1998 2003 2008 2010
www.ncdhr.org.in
KEY INTERVENTIONS
1. Building awareness and mobilizing citizens
2. Training citizens for public engagement
3. Creating knowledge and evidence
4. Advocacy for policy design and
implementation
5. Technology platforms and solutions
6. Facilitating independent and inclusive
journalism
7. Capacity building of government officials
8. Capacity building of local partners
9. Facilitating platforms for multi-stakeholder
engagement

2. WHAT’S NEXT?
NCDHR aims to build its institutional capacity to strengthen its impact at the grassroots across 20 states. Additionally, it aims
to focus on the following program areas:
Expand budget resource centers to more states, to help Dalit communities realize their rights and leverage this
on-ground experience for advocacy at the state and national level.
Invest in technology and train grassroots volunteers to use its Atrocity Tracking and Monitoring system, a Web-based
platform, which allows for tracking of case details to increase accountability in the justice system.
Work with partner organizations to identify and develop Dalit women leaders across more states.
Promote the policy agenda at a global level to enhance government response.
“The Dalit issue is the elephant in the room in any discussion on development and citizens’ rights. We need a mechanism
to sensitize communities to accept Dalit rights, while ensuring that these rights are strengthened through better policies
and implementation. Bridging policy gaps forms the fulcrum of NCDHR, and our primary objective is to ensure a free
exercise of citizenship by the Dalit community.”
– N.Paul Divakar, general secretary
citizenvoice policy law servicedelivery thinktank transparency RTI
elections budgets urbangovernance panchayatiraj accesstojustice
technology humanrights independentmedia
NCDHR has pioneered work on policy at the
national and state levels, and is committed
to the cause of the marginalized. NCDHR
has been striving to bridge the gap between
policy and community. They have been
doing commendable work in the area of
fiscal transparency, accountability and
access to justice issues, with a special focus
on Dalits.
- Amitabh Behar,
Executive Director, National Foundation of India
NCDHR led a national campaign to highlight the diversion of US$140 million of funds allocated for Dalits to help pay
for the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi in 2010. This led to a public acknowledgment and stated intention to
restore the diverted funds by the Home Minister before the Parliament.
NCDHR’s efforts led to the implementation of Code 789, which allows for the monitoring of government funds allocated
for Dalits; the government made using this code mandatory for all departments in the 2011-2012 budget.
NCDHR worked with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help draft the Prevention of Atrocities
Amendment Bill, 2014, which was signed by the President in March 2014 as an ordinance.
WHAT HAS IT ACHIEVED?
VOICES FROM THE GROUND
N. Paul Divakar, V.A. Ramesh Nathan and Asha Kotwal are
the three General Secretaries at NCDHR.
Guest speakers and active participants at numerous
global events organized by the European Union, UN, and
Human Rights Council in 2013.
Key funders include Christian Aid, CCFD (France), Oxfam
India, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative, UN Women,
UNDP.
Government ministries such as MSJE, MHRD, MWCD,
and the National Advisory Council.
Non-profits such as Human Rights Law Network, Housing
and Land Rights Network, Centre for Budget and
Governance Accountability.
Indian Institute of Dalit Studies.
NCDHR won the prestigious Rafto Human Rights Award
in 2007 in Norway.
QUALITY INDICATORS
National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
FCRA12 A 80 G FCRA
Leadership
Partnerships
Endorsements