Structure of the Commission

The Commission consists of the following Members nominated by the Government namely:- A Chairperson, who is or has been a Judge of the High Court of Kerala and 2 Members from Non Resident Indians (Keralites) who were abroad for not less than 5 years and 2 Members from Non Resident Indians (Keralites) who returned after being abroad for 5 or more years and a Secretary who shall be an Officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to Government or a retired Officer of equivalent rank from All India Service.

The term of Chairperson and Members, except the Secretary appointed from service, shall be 3 years, from the date on which he/she assumes office and shall be eligible for re-appointment for not more than one term.

The 1st Commission constituted under the Non Resident Indians (Keralites) Commission Act, 2015, came into existence in the year 2016 with Justice P.Bhavadasan, former Judge High Court of Kerala as its Chairperson and Sri. Dr. Shamseer Vayalil, Soman Baby, M.A. Salam, and Sri. K. Bhagavath Sing as its NRI members and sri. P.G.Unnikrishnan, as its Member Secretary. The duration of that Commission was from 30.04.2016 to 02.04.2019.

The 2nd commission was constituted in the year 2019 with Justice P D Rajan, former judge of the High court of Kerala as its chairperson, and Dr. Shamsir Vayalil, Sri. Subeer Puzhayaruvath, Sri. Azad Mandayapurath, and Sri.Benyamin, were its NRI members, and Sri. Ramesh Chandran Nair. N.R., Nizar H, Sri. Anil Kumar and Sri. Fazil. A, were the Member secretaries who served consecutively during that period. Duration of that commission was from 24.05.2019 till 06.07.2021.

The 3rd Commission was constituted in the yer 2023 with Justice P.D.Rajan as its Chairperson, and Sri. P.M.Jabir, Sri. Peter Mathew, Sri. Gafoor P Lillies were the NRI Members. The Member Secretary during that period was Mr. Fazil A. Duration of that Commission was from 27.05.2023 to 29.10.2024.

On 06.08.2025 Justice Sophy Thomas, former Judge, High Court of Kerala took charge as the chairperson of the 4 th commission and currently she is the Chairperson of The Non Residents Indians (Keralites) Commission and Sri P.M. Jabir, Sri. Joseph Devasia Ponmankal, Sri Dr. Mathews .K. Lukose Manniyott and Sri M.M.Naeem are its NRI members and Sri Jayaram Kumar R (Under Secretary to Government, Kerala) is its Member Secretary.

Head quarters of the commission is at Thiruvananthapuram,and the commission shall hold its sittings ordinarily at Thiruvananthapuram,and at such other places within the state, as the chairperson thinks fit.

Functions of the Commission

The Non Resident Indians (Keralites) Commission was constituted for Non Resident Indians hailing from Kerala, with a view to protect and safeguard their interest in the State of Kerala and to recommend remedial measures for their welfare and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Non Resident Indians (Keralites) Commission exercise its powers U/S. 10 of The NRI (Keralites) Commission Act and perform its functions in accordance with Sec. 9 of the that Act. It shall be the duty of the Commission to assist, promote and to develop the welfare of the Non-Resident Indians’ and perform such other functions as the Government may assign to it from time to time.

Following are the main functions to be performed by the Commission:

Help the Non Resident Indians’ (Keralites) and their family in protecting their rights, particularly in the issues of life and property in the State of Kerala;
Pursue the interests of the Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites) with the State and Central Government;
Help to Safeguard the investment in all forms of Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites) in Kerala.
Facilitate Social Service Organisations for the Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites) and their spouses and parents living in Kerala for community life and health care;
Inquire into unfair practice against Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites) and make recommendations to concerned Government Departments or Agencies on the action to be taken in the matter;
Report to Government the inadequacies or shortcomings in the existing laws in force, which affect the Indian Constitutional Right to equality and fair treatment of Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites) and also on the remedial Legislative measures to be taken to meet the situations;
To enquire into the unfair practices of recruitment agencies and to ensure that the interests of the Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites) are protected;
Act for the protection of the interests, assets and deposits of the overseas citizens of Indian card holders who had been permanent resident in Kerala and has been registered as per the provisions of Sec. 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (Central Act 57 of 1955) and family members and to facilitate the social service organisations for the healthcare of their family members in Kerala;
To suggest suitable measures to be adopted in the issues of Non-Resident Indians’ (Keralites).

Powers of the Commission

While performing its functions under Section 9, the Commission shall have all the powers vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters:

a. Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any witness and examining him on oath.
b. Requiring the discovery and production of any document.
c. Receiving evidence on affidavits.
d. Requisitioning any public record or a copy thereof from any public office.
e. Appointing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents.
f. Any other matter which may be prescribed.

Inquiry into Unfair Practices

The Commission may inquire into any unfair practice against Non-Resident Indians (Keralites):
- On a written complaint,
- On its own knowledge (suo motu), or
- On the request of the Government.
Upon receiving such a complaint, the Commission may, before initiating any process against the respondent, conduct a preliminary investigation, in such manner as it deems fit, to satisfy itself that the complaint requires further inquiry.

Status of Commission Personnel

The Chairperson, Members, Secretary, Officers, and other employees of the Commission shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of Section 2(28) of the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita(BNS) 2023 .

Judicial Powers and Legal Status

Any proceedings before the Commission shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the meanings of Sections 229 and 267 of the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita(BNS) 2023. The Commission shall be deemed to be a Court for the purposes of Section 215 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita(BNSS) 2023.

Personal Hearing

While conducting an enquiry under Section 9, the Commission shall afford an opportunity to all parties to present their views, either:
- Personally, or Through their authorised representatives.

Reporting of Findings

The findings of the Commission, from any enquiry conducted under this Act, shall be communicated to the Government along with its recommendations for appropriate action or relief to the parties to the dispute.

Mode of Investigation

The Commission may conduct enquiry or investigation into matters falling within its authority,

Either:-

Directly
Through an Investigating Officer appointed by the Commission or
Through Government Departments or Agencies.