Children and youth: abuse, labour and unrest

What to remember

• A child is a person below 18 for most Indian laws. Child rights are protected by the Constitution, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the RTE Act (2009), the POCSO Act (2012) and the Juvenile Justice Act (2015).
• Child labour is banned in all occupations below 14, and hazardous work is banned below 18. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 was strongly amended in 2016 and renamed the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
• Youth unrest has roots in unemployment, poor education, drugs and a gap between hope and reality. The National Youth Policy defines youth as the age group 15-29 years (NYP 2014).

Child abuse

Child abuse is harm done to a child by an adult or another person who has power over the child.

Why abuse stays hidden: children are afraid or do not understand, the abuser is often known to the child, families fear shame, and reporting is weak. Online abuse and cyber-bullying are also growing.

Effects: fear, poor health, drop-out from school, anger, depression, and in some cases the child later turns to crime or drugs.

Prevention: awareness, safe schools, "good touch and bad touch" lessons, strong child protection committees, Childline (1098), and prompt reporting and trial.

Child labour

Child labour means work that harms a child's health, takes away schooling or exploits the child. All paid or unpaid work by a child is not always "child labour", but hazardous work and work that stops school are.

Causes: poverty, debt, poor schools, large families, demand for cheap labour, lack of social protection, migration and social attitudes.

Constitutional base

• Article 24: No child below 14 shall be employed in a factory, mine or other hazardous work.
• Article 21A: Free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 (86th Amendment, 2002).
• Article 39(e), (f): The State should protect children from abuse and give them chances to grow in freedom and dignity.
• Article 45: Early childhood care and education up to 6 years.
• Article 51A(k): Duty of parents to give education to children aged 6-14.

Laws and programmes

• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986; the 2016 amendment banned work for children below 14 in all occupations (with a limited exception for family work after school hours and in films and sports), and banned hazardous work for adolescents aged 14 to 18.
• Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 frees bonded workers, including children.
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP) from 1988: Special schools for rescued children.
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Mid-Day Meal scheme keep children in school.
• Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Kailash Satyarthi) rescues children; Satyarthi shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 with Malala Yousafzai.
• In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the MV Foundation (led by Shantha Sinha) ran a famous campaign to take children out of work and into school.
• A national portal and Childline help in rescue and rehabilitation (check the latest official release).

Child rights: CRC, POCSO, RTE and JJ Act

The four groups of rights in the CRC are: survival, development, protection and participation.

JJ Act, 2015 in brief

• A child is a person below 18.
• Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) deal with children in conflict with the law.
• Child Welfare Committees (CWC) deal with children in need of care and protection.
• For heinous offences by children aged 16-18, the Board may assess whether the child should be tried as an adult. This was added after public debate on the 2012 Delhi case.
• Adoption is regulated by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).
• Institutions: observation homes, special homes, places of safety.

Child protection bodies

• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), set up in 2007 under the CPCR Act, 2005.
• Integrated Child Protection Scheme, now part of Mission Vatsalya (from 2021-22).
• Childline 1098: 24-hour helpline for children in distress.

Related child problems

• Street children: Children living or working on streets lack a home, school and safety. Shelters, bridge schools and outreach by NGOs and Childline help them.
• Child trafficking: Children are moved for labour, begging or sexual exploitation. Anti-trafficking units, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Bonded Labour Act are used against traffickers.
• Child marriage: It harms a girl's health and schooling. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 sets the minimum age at 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
• Malnutrition: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) with Anganwadi centres, started in 1975, give food, health checks and pre-school learning to young children and mothers.

Early years are vital for brain growth. Investment in nutrition and early learning gives the best long-term return for society.

Youth: concept and problems

The National Youth Policy 2014 defines youth as persons aged 15-29. Youth are India's demographic strength. A large share of the population is young, and this can be a "demographic dividend" if they get education, skills and jobs.

Causes of youth unrest

• Unemployment and underemployment; a mismatch between education and jobs.
• Poor-quality education and exam pressure.
• Generation gap and clash of values.
• Political misuse of youth for violence and campaigns.
• Corruption and a feeling of unfairness.
• Peer pressure, social media and drug use.
• Regional and caste differences and lack of recognition.

Forms of unrest: Strikes and protests, violent agitation, joining extremist groups, substance abuse, suicide and rise in crime.

Remedies: Skill development, job creation, career counselling, sports and cultural activities, involving youth in decision-making, and counselling services.

Drug abuse

• Drug abuse is the harmful use of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 is the main law. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was set up in 1986.
• Article 47 directs the State to improve public health and to prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs that harm health.
• India lies between the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran) and Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand) opium regions, which makes trafficking a risk.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (2020) is a national campaign for awareness and treatment.
• Causes: peer pressure, curiosity, stress, family problems and easy availability.
• Remedies: awareness, de-addiction centres, counselling, strict control of supply and treatment as a health issue, not only as crime.

Juvenile delinquency

Juvenile delinquency means law-breaking by a person below 18.

The approach is reform, not punishment. Children are sent to observation homes and special homes where they get education, skills and counselling. Probation and community care are preferred to jail.

Youth programmes and National Youth Policy

• National Service Scheme (NSS), started in 1969, involves college students in community service.
• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), started in 1972, works with rural youth clubs.
• National Youth Day is on 12 January, the birth day of Swami Vivekananda.
• MY Bharat platform (2023) connects youth with volunteering and national programmes.
• NYP 2014 stressed education, employment and skills, health, sports, social justice and leadership. Check the latest official release for updated youth policy documents.

Exam traps

• Article 24 (no hazardous work below 14) and Article 21A (education 6-14) are not the same.
• The 2016 amendment bans all work below 14 and hazardous work below 18.
• A child is below 18 in JJ Act and CRC; youth is 15-29 under NYP 2014.
• JJ Act 2015 replaced the 2000 Act; it is not the same as POCSO.
• RTE covers ages 6-14; Article 45 covers up to 6 years.
• Observation homes are for children during inquiry; special homes are after being found to have committed an offence.
• Childline is 1098; the women's helpline is 181.
• NDPS Act is 1985; NCB is 1986.

One-liners

• Article 24 bans hazardous child work.
• Article 21A gives the right to education.
• The RTE Act came into force on 1 April 2010.
• POCSO was passed in 2012.
• JJ Act: 2015.
• India ratified the CRC in 1992.
• NCPCR was set up in 2007.
• Childline number is 1098.
• NYP 2014 defines youth as 15-29 years.
• NSS started in 1969.
• NDPS Act: 1985.
• Kailash Satyarthi received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

Practice questions

1. Article 24 of the Constitution prohibits employment of children below 14 in

   1. Factories, mines and other hazardous work
   2. Family farms only
   3. All schools
   4. Government offices only
   Answer

   A. Factories, mines and other hazardous work

   Article 24 bans children's hazardous employment.

2. The right to free and compulsory education for ages 6-14 is in

   1. Article 45
   2. Article 21A
   3. Article 39
   4. Article 24
   Answer

   B. Article 21A

   Article 21A was added by the 86th Amendment, 2002.

3. The RTE Act came into force on

   1. 1 April 2002
   2. 15 August 2009
   3. 26 January 2002
   4. 1 April 2010
   Answer

   D. 1 April 2010

   The RTE Act, 2009 was effective from 1 April 2010.

4. The POCSO Act was passed in

   1. 2000
   2. 2009
   3. 2012
   4. 2005
   Answer

   C. 2012

   POCSO is the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

5. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act currently in force was passed in

   1. 1986
   2. 2015
   3. 2000
   4. 2009
   Answer

   B. 2015

   The 2015 Act replaced the 2000 Act.

6. India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in

   1. 1989
   2. 2000
   3. 1992
   4. 1950
   Answer

   C. 1992

   The UN adopted the CRC in 1989 and India ratified it in 1992.

7. Under the JJ Act, 2015, a child is a person below

   1. 21 years
   2. 16 years
   3. 14 years
   4. 18 years
   Answer

   D. 18 years

   A child is a person below 18 years.

8. The National Youth Policy 2014 defines youth as persons aged

   1. 10 to 18 years
   2. 18 to 40 years
   3. 15 to 29 years
   4. 13 to 35 years
   Answer

   C. 15 to 29 years

   NYP 2014 defines youth as 15-29.

9. Childline, the helpline for children in distress, has the number

   1. 100
   2. 1098
   3. 181
   4. 112
   Answer

   B. 1098

   1098 is Childline; 181 is the women's helpline.

10. Who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for work on children's rights?

    1. Kailash Satyarthi
    2. Abhijit Banerjee
    3. Amartya Sen
    4. Mother Teresa
    Answer

    A. Kailash Satyarthi

    Satyarthi shared it with Malala Yousafzai.

11. The MV Foundation, known for work to take children out of labour and into school, was led by

    1. Aruna Roy
    2. Sudha Murty
    3. Medha Patkar
    4. Shantha Sinha
    Answer

    D. Shantha Sinha

    The campaign began in Telugu-speaking areas.

12. Child Welfare Committees under the JJ Act deal with

    1. Adult offenders
    2. Trafficking of adults
    3. Children in conflict with law
    4. Children in need of care and protection
    Answer

    D. Children in need of care and protection

    CWC handles care-and-protection cases; JJB handles children in conflict with law.

13. Juvenile Justice Boards deal with

    1. Education grants
    2. Child nutrition
    3. Children in conflict with law
    4. Adoption of orphans
    Answer

    C. Children in conflict with law

    JJB inquires into cases of children accused of offences.

14. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) regulates

    1. Adoption of children
    2. Child labour inspection
    3. Youth sports
    4. School admissions
    Answer

    A. Adoption of children

    CARA is the central body on adoption.

15. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights was set up in

    1. 1992
    2. 2007
    3. 2014
    4. 1950
    Answer

    B. 2007

    NCPCR was set up in 2007 under the CPCR Act, 2005.

16. The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) mainly set up

    1. Hospitals for adults
    2. Police stations
    3. Factories for children
    4. Special schools for rescued child workers
    Answer

    D. Special schools for rescued child workers

    NCLP schools prepare rescued children for mainstream schooling.

17. Article 47 directs the State to

    1. Give free land
    2. Elect a President
    3. Improve public health and prohibit harmful drugs
    4. Set up courts
    Answer

    C. Improve public health and prohibit harmful drugs

    Article 47 is a Directive Principle on health and intoxicants.

18. The main law on narcotics in India is the

    1. NDPS Act, 1985
    2. RTE Act, 2009
    3. POCSO Act, 2012
    4. JJ Act, 2015
    Answer

    A. NDPS Act, 1985

    NDPS stands for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

19. The Narcotics Control Bureau was set up in

    1. 1950
    2. 1986
    3. 1999
    4. 1975
    Answer

    B. 1986

    The NCB was set up in 1986 under the NDPS framework.

20. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is a campaign against

    1. Child marriage
    2. Drug abuse
    3. Corruption
    4. Dowry
    Answer

    B. Drug abuse

    It was launched in 2020 for awareness and treatment.

21. The National Service Scheme was started in

    1. 1950
    2. 1972
    3. 1986
    4. 1969
    Answer

    D. 1969

    NSS began in 1969 to involve college students in service.

22. National Youth Day is observed on 12 January in memory of

    1. Swami Vivekananda
    2. Subhas Chandra Bose
    3. Jawaharlal Nehru
    4. Mahatma Gandhi
    Answer

    A. Swami Vivekananda

    12 January is Vivekananda's birth anniversary.

23. The 2016 amendment to the Child Labour Act banned

    1. Family kitchens
    2. All work by adults
    3. Employment of children below 14 in all occupations
    4. School education
    Answer

    C. Employment of children below 14 in all occupations

    It also banned hazardous work for those aged 14-18.

24. Which of the following is a main cause of child labour?

    1. High school fees only
    2. Good schools nearby
    3. Rise in teacher numbers
    4. Poverty and debt of the family
    Answer

    D. Poverty and debt of the family

    Poverty pushes families to send children to work.

25. Which of the following is an example of emotional abuse of a child?

    1. Health check-ups
    2. Regular meals
    3. Constant insults and threats
    4. School visits
    Answer

    C. Constant insults and threats

    Emotional abuse harms self-esteem through insults and fear.

26. Under RTE, private schools must reserve what share of entry-level seats for disadvantaged children?

    1. 10 per cent
    2. 25 per cent
    3. 15 per cent
    4. 33 per cent
    Answer

    B. 25 per cent

    The RTE Act reserves 25 per cent seats.

27. The ICDS scheme, run through Anganwadi centres, began in

    1. 1975
    2. 2005
    3. 1986
    4. 1950
    Answer

    A. 1975

    ICDS began on 2 October 1975.

28. Juvenile delinquency is best described as

    1. Law-breaking by any adult
    2. Voting by a youth
    3. School absenteeism only
    4. Law-breaking by a person below 18
    Answer

    D. Law-breaking by a person below 18

    The term applies to offences by minors.

29. The golden crescent refers to

    1. An opium producing region of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran
    2. An ocean current
    3. A Himalayan route
    4. A gold market
    Answer

    A. An opium producing region of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran

    It is a major opium-producing area, along with the Golden Triangle.

30. Statements about child labour laws: 1. Article 24 bans hazardous work for children below 14. 2. The 2016 amendment banned hazardous work for adolescents aged 14 to 18. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

31. Statements about RTE: 1. It covers children aged 6 to 14. 2. It allows schools to charge capitation fees. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The RTE Act bans capitation fees.

32. Statements about POCSO: 1. It is gender-neutral. 2. It provides for special courts. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    POCSO protects all children and has special courts.

33. Statements about the JJ Act, 2015: 1. It replaced the Act of 2000. 2. It sets up Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees. 3. It applies only to adults. Which are correct?

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Answer

    A. 1 and 2 only

    Statement 3 is wrong; the Act applies to children.

34. Statements about youth: 1. NSS was started in 1972. 2. NYP 2014 defines youth as 15-29. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    NSS began in 1969; NYKS began in 1972.

35. Statements about drugs: 1. The NDPS Act was passed in 1985. 2. Drug abuse is treated only as crime and not as a health issue. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Modern approach combines law with treatment and de-addiction.

36. Statements about the CRC: 1. India ratified it in 1950. 2. It was adopted by the UN in 1989. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    India ratified the CRC in 1992.

37. Match the Act with its subject. 1. POCSO a. Child sexual offences 2. RTE b. Elementary education 3. NDPS c. Narcotic drugs

    1. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
    2. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
    3. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
    4. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
    Answer

    D. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c

    Each Act is matched to its subject.

38. Match the Article with its content. 1. Article 24 a. Ban on hazardous child work 2. Article 21A b. Right to education 3. Article 47 c. Public health and drugs

    1. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
    2. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
    3. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
    4. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
    Answer

    B. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c

    These match correctly in the first option.

39. Match the body with its work. 1. CARA a. Adoption 2. NCPCR b. Child rights commission 3. JJB c. Children in conflict with law

    1. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
    2. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
    3. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
    4. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
    Answer

    C. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c

    Each body is matched to its role.

40. A 12-year-old is found working in a hazardous workshop. Which authority or step is most apt?

    1. Send the child to a bar
    2. Ignore it as family work
    3. Encourage more hours
    4. Report to Childline 1098 for rescue and rehabilitation
    Answer

    D. Report to Childline 1098 for rescue and rehabilitation

    Hazardous work below 14 is banned and Childline helps with rescue.

41. A 17-year-old is accused of a minor offence. The case goes first to the

    1. Sessions Court as an adult
    2. Supreme Court
    3. Lok Adalat for adults
    4. Juvenile Justice Board
    Answer

    D. Juvenile Justice Board

    The JJ Act sends children's cases to a Juvenile Justice Board.

42. A teacher finds signs of sexual abuse in a child. Under POCSO, the correct step is to

    1. Wait for a year
    2. Keep it secret
    3. Report it to the police or Special Juvenile Police Unit
    4. Blame the child
    Answer

    C. Report it to the police or Special Juvenile Police Unit

    POCSO makes reporting mandatory.

43. Which best explains how youth unrest can arise?

    1. Higher pay in cities
    2. Educated youth cannot find suitable jobs
    3. Rise in teacher posts
    4. More sports grounds
    Answer

    B. Educated youth cannot find suitable jobs

    A gap between education and jobs causes frustration.

44. Which of the following is the best remedy for youth unrest?

    1. Ban on protests
    2. Closing colleges
    3. Skill training and job creation
    4. Less education
    Answer

    C. Skill training and job creation

    Skills and jobs address the root cause.

45. A child who has been found to have committed an offence can be placed in a

    1. Army camp
    2. Special home
    3. Jail with adults
    4. Factory
    Answer

    B. Special home

    The JJ Act provides observation homes and special homes, not adult prisons.