Why Does India Prioritize the Protection and Development of Children?
Children are the most important wealth to our country; they bring courage, happiness and, most importantly, they are the future developers. Every child should be aware of the law made by our government, and so providing to them a special care is the Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. In 1990, India participated in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly summit; from there, India adopted a declaration on the survival, protection and development of children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international treaty that makes it incumbent upon the signatory states to take all necessary steps to protect children’s rights. This act provides a National Commission and State Commission for the protection of child rights and children’s courts for providing speedy trials of offences against children or of violations of child rights.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012 define any person below the age of eighteen years as a child.
Legal Frameworks in India:
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 provides free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years. This act also provided that children suffering from disability shall have equal opportunities, protection, free pursuit and compulsory elementary education. This provision requires private, unaided schools to reserve at least 25% of their seats for children from economically weaker sections.
The Bharatiya Niyaya Sanhita 2023, provides that whoever hires, employs or engages a child to commit an offence shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than three years, which may extend to ten years, and with a fine.
The Constitution of India structured Article 24 so that no child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment and also configured Article 21A so that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years. Under the fundamental duties of the Indian Constitution, Article 51A(K) makes it the duty of a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the ages of six and fourteen years.
Conclusion
India’s prioritization of child protection and development is deeply rooted in its constitutional values, international commitments, and comprehensive legal frameworks. By recognizing children as the nation’s most valuable resource and future builders, India has taken decisive steps to ensure their safety, education, and empowerment. Laws such as the Protection of Child Rights Act, POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and the Right to Education Act reflect a multi-layered approach to safeguarding childhood from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
Furthermore, constitutional provisions like Articles 21A, 24, and 51A(k) reinforce the collective responsibility of the state, society, and families in nurturing children’s growth. Through these measures, India not only protects its children but also invests in a stronger, more equitable future. The nation’s commitment to child welfare is a testament to its vision of inclusive development and social justice.
Sophia Rani
Parent of Krishali (V-F) & Jashwin Siva Harish (IV-A)
Mahatma Baba Matric
