Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar Appointed as New NCW Chairperson

Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in India. Her nomination, made by the Central Government under Section 3 of the NCW Act, 1990, was confirmed through an announcement on X by the NCW. Rahatkar becomes the 9th person to hold this position, succeeding Rekha Sharma, whose term concluded in August.

Rahatkar brings extensive experience in women’s issues to her new role. She previously chaired the Maharashtra State Commission for Women from 2016 to 2021 and served as the Mayor of Chatrapati Sambhajinagar between 2007 and 2010.

An academic achiever, Rahatkar holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics and a master’s degree in History from the University of Pune. She has also authored books focused on women’s rights and history, including Vidhilikhit, which discusses legal issues affecting women, and Aurangabad: Leading to Wide Roads. Her contributions to women’s empowerment have earned her several honors, such as the National Law Award and the Savitribai Phule Award.

Rahatkar’s tenure as NCW Chairperson begins immediately, where she is expected to further advocate for women’s rights across the nation.