Peer-reviewed article
Legal Provisions Regarding Child Labour in India: To protect the Rights of Children
Pranav Ranga ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This paper examines India's legal framework for protecting children from labour and safeguarding their rights. It notes that India has approximately 10.1 million child labourers aged 5-14 years. The paper describes constitutional protections including the right to free and compulsory education (Article 21A) and prohibition of child employment in factories and hazardous work (Article 24). These legal provisions aim to ensure adequate development of children as future citizens.
Key points
- India has an estimated 1.01 crore (10.1 million) child labourers aged 5-14 years
- India has 25.96 crore (259.6 million) individuals aged 5-14 years
- Article 21A guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years
- Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, and hazardous work
- Child labour remains a widespread problem despite existing legal protections
Limitations
This document describes legal provisions but does not analyse their implementation, effectiveness, or compliance rates. It provides no information about enforcement mechanisms or outcomes for children in practice.
Abstract
This paper presents various legal provisions of child labour, for the purpose of protections and realizing the rights of the children in India.Children are future citizens of the Nation and their adequate development is utmost priority of the country. Unfortunately, child labor engulfs children across the world. In India are home to 25.96 crores individuals aged 5-14 years. Child labors are very alarming.The 2011 national census of India estimated total number of child labor aged 5–14 to be at 1.01 crores. Article 21A, Right to Education is providing free and compulsoryeducation to all children of the age of six to fourteen years. Another fundamental right Article 24: Prohibition ofEmployment of Children in Factoriesetc: No child below the age of fourteen yearsshall be employed to work in any factory/mine or engaged in any otherhazardous employment .