New Delhi/Geneva: India has been elected unopposed to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–28 term, marking the country’s seventh tenure on the global rights body.
The election by the UN General Assembly reaffirms India’s growing diplomatic stature and its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. The new three-year term will begin on January 1, 2026.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, expressed gratitude to member states for their overwhelming support. He said the unopposed election reflects India’s “unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms”, adding that the country looks forward to advancing these ideals during its tenure.
India was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2026-28 @UN for the seventh time today. Thank all delegations for their overwhelming support.
This election reflects India’s unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. We look forward to serve this… pic.twitter.com/rvYj4jRKlY
— Parvathaneni Harish (@AmbHarishP) October 14, 2025
The UN Human Rights Council, headquartered in Geneva, comprises 47 member nations responsible for addressing human rights issues, reviewing country situations, and fostering global cooperation on rights-based matters.
India previously served on the Council for the 2022–24 term and returns to the body after a mandatory break, as countries are not allowed to serve three consecutive terms. Its repeated election underscores the global community’s confidence in India’s democratic values and its constructive engagement within multilateral institutions.
Alongside India, 13 other countries from different regions have been elected for the upcoming term. With this renewed mandate, India aims to continue championing dialogue, inclusivity, and development-oriented approaches to human rights at the international stage.
