CHILD PROTECTION LAWS IN INDIA

The Indian Constitution, which went into effect on January 26, 1950, protects children's
rights. The makers of our Constitution were fully aware that the growth of the nation can be
attained through the development of the nation's children, and that children must also be
protected from exploitation. The following are the provisions of the Indian Constitution
relating to children:

The following are constitutional guarantees aimed primarily towards children:

1. Article 21A of the Constitution states that the state must provide free and compulsory
education to all children aged six to fourteen years in the manner determined by law.
2. Article 24 states that no minor under the age of fourteen years old shall be employed
in any industry, mine, or other hazardous occupation.
3. Article 39(e) provides that the state shall, in particular, direct its policy toward
ensuring that employees' health and strength, as well as children's delicate age, are not
misused, and that citizens are not pushed by economic necessity to engage in
occupations that are unsuitable for their age or strength.
4. Article.39 (f) states that the State shall, in particular, direct its policies towards
securing that, children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy
manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are
protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
5. Article 45 provides that the State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and
education for all children until they complete the age of six years.

As equal citizens of India, children have the same rights as any other adult.
1. Article 14 provides that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law
or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
2. Article 15 Right against discrimination.
3. Article 21 provides that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty
except according to procedure established by law.
4. Article 23 Right to being protected from being trafficked and forced into bonded
labour.
5. Article 29 Right of minorities for protection of their interests.
6. Article 46 Right of weaker sections of the people to be protected from social injustice
and all forms of exploitation.
7. Article 47 Right to nutrition and standard of living and improved public health.

Other Legislations
There are a number of legislations that deal with children in addition to the
Constitution. They are as follows:
 1. The Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933
2. The Employment of children Act, 1938
3. The Factories Act, 1948
4. The Mines Act, 1952
5. The Apprentice Act, 1961
6. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
7. The Immortal Traffic Prevention Act, 1987
8. The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of
Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 1992
9. The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994
10. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000
11. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
12. Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
13. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

Policies of the Government regarding Children

The Indian government has enacted a variety of laws aimed towards the physical,
mental, and social development of the country's children. The government has also
implemented a number of initiatives concerning children's health and education. The
following are some of the government's most important child-related policies:
 National Policy for Children, 1974.
 National Policy on Education, 1986.
 National Policy on Child Labour, 1987.
 National Health Policy ,2002.

Status of Child Protection in India

 India is placed 112 in the Child Development Index, despite tremendous
progress in education, nutrition, and child health over the last decade. Despite
the Child Protection Act, we see a variety of abuses of children's rights,
including denial and inability to access the right to food, education, health, and
protection from exploitation. Despite the fact that our Constitution and
numerous Union and State legislation offer the legal foundation that allows us
to ensure that all children have a safe and loving environment in which to
enjoy their childhood, large groups of children continue to be denied their
rights.