PYQ Relevance:

[UPSC 2016] Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

Linkage: Child labour is a significant issue affecting children, robbing them of their basic rights and hindering their full development potential. It is addressed through various welfare schemes, laws, and policies aimed at protecting and improving the lives of children.

Mentor’s Comment: June 12 is observed as the World Day Against Child Labour, led by the International Labour Organisation to raise awareness about the ongoing problem of child labour. This year, attention is not only on the alarming number—160 million children still working, but also on an inspiring success story from India: Velpur Mandal in Telangana. Once known for widespread child labour, Velpur has remained child labour-free for over 20 years. Its achievement, driven by strong community participation, shows how local efforts can bring lasting change and serve as a model for tackling child labour through policy and grassroots action.

Today’s editorial focuses on the problem of child labour in India, a key issue relevant to GS Paper II (Social Justice) in the UPSC syllabus.

Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

Every year on June 12, the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) is observed, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), to raise awareness about the problem of child labour.

What are the major global challenges in eliminating child labour?

Poverty and Economic Vulnerability: Families in low-income regions rely on children’s income to meet basic needs, making child labour a survival strategy Eg: In sub-Saharan Africa, children are often sent to work in farms or in markets to support their households facing extreme poverty
Lack of Access to Quality Education: Poor schooling infrastructure, long travel distances, and hidden costs deter school attendance, pushing children into work Eg: In rural Afghanistan, many children work as street vendors or in workshops instead of attending school due to poor accessibility
Weak Law Enforcement and Informal Economy: Despite legal frameworks, enforcement is weak in informal sectors where most child labour occurs. Eg: In Latin American countries, children continue working in agriculture and street vending despite legal prohibitions.
Cultural and Social Acceptance: In some societies, child labour is normalized as part of tradition or family livelihood, especially in unregulated home-based industries Eg: In India, children are commonly employed in beedi-rolling or carpet weaving under the guise of family trade training
Conflict, Displacement, and Emergencies: Armed conflict, refugee crises, and natural disasters disrupt schooling and increase reliance on child labour for survival. Eg: In Syria, displaced children are often seen working in agriculture or shops due to the breakdown of education and protection systems.

What are the major national-level challenges in eliminating child labour?

Poverty and Household Debt: Economic hardship compels families to send children to work instead of school, especially in informal and unorganised sectors. Eg: In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, children are employed in brick kilns and agriculture to supplement family income or repay local debts.
Gaps in Implementation of Laws and Schemes: Despite strong legal provisions, poor monitoring, corruption, and lack of coordination among departments weaken enforcement. Eg: In Jharkhand, children continue to work in mica mines, despite bans and presence of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
Lack of Awareness and Social Acceptance: In many rural and tribal areas, parents are unaware of the long-term value of education and accept child labour as normal. Eg: In Andhra Pradesh’s beedi-making units, child labour is seen as a family tradition and not a violation of child rights.

Case study of Velpur mandal:

Who led the anti-child labour campaign in Velpur?

The campaign was led by the then District Collector of Nizamabad along with committed local officials.

How did it achieve child labour-free status?

Community-Led Campaign and Awareness Drive: A 100-day campaign was launched in 2001 involving local officials, sarpanchs, teachers, caste elders, and civil societyto identify and enroll every child into school. Eg: In Velpur Mandal (Telangana), all 8,057 children aged 5–15 were enrolled in schools, and the mandal was declared child labour-free by October 2, 2001.
Debt Waiver and Social Accountability by Employers: Former child employers publicly waived ₹35 lakh worth of family debts and provided school supplies, freeing children from bonded labour. Eg: Employers in Velpur villages forgave loans where children were used as repayment guarantees, helping families send their children to school.
Institutional Support and Bridge Schooling through NCLP: Children withdrawn from labour were sent to bridge schools under the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) to ease their transition into formal education. Eg: Children from beedi units and farms were given remedial education and then enrolled into regular schools with full retention ensured by community monitoring.

What is the status of the National Child Policy?

Outdated Framework (Policy of 2013): The National Policy for Children, 2013 is the current guiding document, but it lacks clear mechanisms for implementation, monitoring, and budgetary commitments. Eg: Though it recognizes rights to survival, development, protection, and participation, it does not specifically address child labour rehabilitation pathways
Lack of Integration with Recent Laws and SDG Goals: The policy has not been aligned with new laws like the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 or with SDG Target 8.7. Eg: India aims to eliminate child labour by 2025 under SDG 8.7, but the national child policy does not provide an updated roadmap or action plan for this
Delayed Formulation of a Revised Policy: The government had initiated a process to draft a new National Child Policy in 2020, but no final version has been released or implemented so far. Eg: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) conducted consultations for an updated policy, but no final policy document has been notified as of mid-2025

What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?

Strengthening Legal Framework: The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 prohibits employment of children below 14 years and restricts adolescents (14–18 years) from hazardous occupations. Eg: This amendment led to the identification and rescue of thousands of children from beedi-making and fireworks units in states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP): Launched in 1988, this centrally sponsored scheme focuses on identifying, rescuing, and rehabilitating child labourersthrough special training centres. Eg: Under NCLP, bridge schools in Velpur (Telangana) helped transition former child workers into regular schools, contributing to its child labour-free status.
Integration with Education and Welfare Schemes: Programs like Right to Education Act (2009), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Samagra Shiksha aim to improve school access and retention among vulnerable children.Eg: In Bihar and Odisha, these schemes have improved school attendance, reducing dropout-driven child labour in agriculture and domestic work.

Way forward:

Community-Driven Monitoring and Social Mobilisation: Empower panchayats, school management committees, and civil society to track school dropouts and ensure local accountability through awareness campaigns and social pressure mechanisms.
Policy Update and Stronger Rehabilitation Framework: Finalize and implement a revised National Child Policy aligned with SDG 8.7, and strengthen rehabilitation measureslike skill development, financial support, and psychosocial care for rescued children.

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