A/HRC/36/10 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-seventh session from 1 to 12 May 2017. The review of India was held at the 8th meeting, on 4 May 2017. The delegation of India was headed by the Attorney General, Mukul Rohatgi. At its 14th meeting, held on 9 May 2017, the Working Group adopted the report on India. 2. On 13 February 2017, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of India: Latvia, the Philippines and South Africa. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of India: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/27/IND/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/27/IND/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/27/IND/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to India through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of India stated that India remained convinced of the effectiveness of the universal periodic review process, and reiterated its commitment to meaningful engagement with international organizations and other States in a spirit of reciprocity, with a common desire for a better world. India continued with its endeavours towards observance of human rights. When drafting its national report, India had followed a broadbased consultative approach involving various stakeholders. 6. For India, poverty eradication and achieving inclusive sustainable development were utmost priorities. In that regard, major initiatives had been undertaken, including Smart Cities, Make in India, Celebrate the Girl Child and Enable her Education, Bank Accounts for All, and Startup India, which mirrored the targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for achieving the 2030 Agenda. 7. An important plank of the country’s development agenda, as well as of its push towards good governance and the creation of a knowledge society, had reportedly been the Digital India programme, which aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society. 8. The coverage of the Aadhaar Unique Identification Number had been widened to prevent leakages and to ensure targeted delivery of scheme benefits. To further institutionalize the project, the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 had been enacted. Over a billion Aadhaar cards had reportedly been issued to date. 9. India had taken various steps to eliminate all forms of malnutrition, including child malnutrition, notably through the adoption of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and the 2