Rupa Rani Kour has created history by becoming the first Sikh woman to be selected as the Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Dibrugarh district. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the district’s child protection framework and reflects growing inclusivity in public institutions.
The appointment was made on January 3, 2025, by the State Child Protection Society, Government of Assam, Guwahati. She will serve a three-year tenure as Chairperson.
Academic and Professional Background
Aged 46, Rupa Rani Kour has a strong academic foundation, holding a BSc, BEd, and an MA in Education from Dibrugarh University. She began her professional career as a teacher and served in the field of education for five years. In 2013, she was appointed as a TET-qualified High School Science Teacher at Titabar, Jorhat, though she later discontinued the role due to personal reasons.
Her career trajectory later shifted towards legal and child protection services. She began working with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) at North Lakhimpur, and subsequently at Cachar, where she has been associated since 2017. In 2022, she was inducted as a Member of the Child Welfare Committee, Dibrugarh, gaining direct experience in child protection adjudication and rehabilitation.
With over 12 years of experience in education, legal services, and child welfare, her selection as Chairperson brings both continuity and expertise to the committee.
Role and Responsibilities
The Child Welfare Committee is a quasi-judicial body constituted under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, vested with powers equivalent to those of a Judicial Magistrate First Class. The committee has exclusive authority over cases involving Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP).
As Chairperson, Rupa Rani Kour will provide leadership to the committee, preside over hearings, and exercise a deciding vote in the event of a tie. The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring the committee’s effective functioning, coordinating with agencies such as the police, labour department, and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), overseeing inspections of Child Care Institutions, addressing grievances, and ensuring compliance with statutory mandates.
The CWC also has powers to take cognizance of cases, direct social investigations, order placement of children in appropriate care, facilitate family restoration, declare children legally free for adoption, and direct action against abuse or exploitation.
Reactions and Statements
Expressing gratitude upon her appointment, Rupa Rani Kour said,
“Whatever I am today is because of the unconditional support of my husband, children and family members, and also by the blessings of Almighty Waheguru.”
Welcoming her selection, Darvinder Singh Nanda, Public Relations Officer of the Sikh Pratinidhi Board, Eastern Zone, Dhubri, stated that the appointment “reflects not only her individual merit and dedication but also the inclusive spirit of our democracy, where leadership is earned through service and integrity.”
A Milestone for Representation
Rupa Rani Kour’s appointment is being widely viewed as a symbol of representation and empowerment, particularly for minority communities and women in public service. Her leadership is expected to further strengthen child protection mechanisms in Dibrugarh district through informed, compassionate, and law-driven decision-making.
