Child Labour in India (2024–25)
🟦 1. Context & Overview
India has witnessed a significant rise in efforts to combat child labour in the year 2024–25. Over 53,000 children were rescued from exploitative labour conditions, highlighting both the scale of the issue and the enforcement response.
A joint report by Just Rights for Children (JRC) and the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change (C-LAB), titled “Building the Case for Zero: How Prosecution Acts as a Tipping Point to End Child Labour”, presents data, enforcement gaps, and recommendations for long-term solutions.
🟦 2. Key Data from Rescue Operations
Time Frame: April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
Rescue Ops: 38,889 coordinated operations across 24 states/UTs
Children Rescued: 53,651
Top 5 States by Rescues:
Telangana – 11,063
Bihar – 3,974
Rajasthan – 3,847
Uttar Pradesh – 3,804
Delhi – 2,588
These same states also reported the highest number of arrests related to child labour.
🟦 3. Nature of Exploitation (Based on ILO Convention 182 Categories)
~90% of rescued children were working in worst forms of child labour, including:
Spas and massage parlours
Orchestra troupes
Domestic labour
Informal entertainment services
Sexual exploitation, pornography, prostitution (in several cases)
This underscores a serious child rights crisis, going beyond economic exploitation into
criminal and moral violation.
🟦 4. Legal Actions and Enforcement Outcomes
FIRs Registered: 38,388
Arrests Made: 5,809 (approx. 85% related to child labour)
Stronger enforcement states: Telangana, Bihar, Rajasthan
Weaker enforcement states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (despite high rescues)
The report stresses that prosecution serves as a deterrent, increasing awareness and reducing impunity.
🟦 5. Key Recommendations from the Report
The JRC–C-LAB report advocates a multi-layered approach, including:
Launch of a National Mission to end child labour
District-level Child Labour Task Forces
Creation of a Child Labour Rehabilitation Fund
National Rehabilitation Policy
Education until 18 years, extending beyond current RTE mandate (till 14)
State-specific child labour policies based on local contexts
Zero-tolerance in government procurement chains
Expansion of hazardous occupation list under CLPR Act
Extension of SDG 8.7 target from 2025 to 2030
🟦 6. Global & National Legal Commitments
India has ratified ILO Convention 182 (worst forms of child labour)
However, systemic gaps in enforcement and rehabilitation remain
The report urges greater institutional convergence, robust judiciary–NGO–police coordination, and holistic child protection infrastructure.
The concluding emphasis:
“Justice for children trapped in the worst forms of child labour will only be achieved when the culprits are punished and robust mechanisms for the protection and rehabilitation of victims are in place.”
GS Paper Mapping
📚 Paper
Relevant Syllabus Topics
GS Paper 1
Society: Issues related to children, vulnerable sections
GS Paper 2
Governance: Government policies & interventions; Role of NGOs; Issues arising out of their design and implementation
GS Paper 3
Human Resource Development; Inclusive Growth; Employment
GS Paper 4 (Ethics)
Case studies on empathy, justice, integrity, governance failure
Essay
Topics on Social Justice, Child Rights, Development with dignity
Interview
DAF-based discussion on law, social issues, child rights, or policing gaps
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
You can link this issue to:
NEP 2020 (education till 18 yrs)
India’s Demographic Dividend risk if child labour continues
NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights)
Prelims MCQs Based on Article
Q1. Which of the following states reported the highest number of child labour rescues in India in 2024–25?
Bihar
Uttar Pradesh
Telangana
Rajasthan
✅ Answer: C
📘 Explanation: Telangana led with 11,063 child rescues, followed by Bihar and Rajasthan.
Q2. Which of the following sectors were identified in the JRC report as involving children in the worst forms of child labour?
Orchestra troupes
Construction industry
Massage parlours
Domestic labour
1, 2, and 4
1, 3, and 4
2, 3, and 4
1, 2, 3, and 4
✅ Answer: B
📘 Explanation: The report specifically mentions orchestra troupes, massage parlours, and domestic labour. Construction wasn't highlighted in this report.
Q3. Which international convention mandates elimination of the worst forms of child labour and has been ratified by India?
ILO Convention 138
UNCRC
ILO Convention 182
UN SDG 4
✅ Answer: C
📘 Explanation: ILO Convention 182 deals with the worst forms of child labour. India is a signatory.
Q4. Consider the following recommendations from the JRC-C-LAB report:
Compulsory education till 18 years
Zero-tolerance in government procurement
District-level Child Labour Task Forces
Repealing the RTE Act
Which of the above were recommended?
1, 2, and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
All of the above
✅ Answer: A
📘 Explanation: The RTE Act was not suggested for repeal; rather, the recommendation was to extend its coverage till 18 years.
Q5. SDG 8.7 is directly related to:
Promoting lifelong learning opportunities
Eradicating child labour in all its forms
Gender equality in employment
Enhancing maternal health and child survival
✅ Answer: B
📘 Explanation: SDG 8.7 targets the eradication of forced labour, child labour, and modern slavery by 2025 (suggested extension to 2030 in the report).
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use these MCQs to build your personal question bank – try revising them weekly or mixing them into mock drills.
Mains Model Answer (150 Words)
GS2 – Governance / GS1 – Society / GS3 – Employment
Q. Despite having a strong legal framework, child labour persists in India. Discuss the key reasons behind this and suggest a multi-dimensional strategy to eliminate it.
✅ Answer:
Introduction:
Despite constitutional guarantees and international commitments, child labour remains a persistent challenge in India. According to the 2024–25 JRC report, over 53,000 children were rescued, with alarming trends in sexual and exploitative labour.
Body:
Reasons for Persistence:
Poverty and informal employment: Children supplement family income.
Gaps in enforcement: While Telangana and Bihar show strong action, states like UP lag.
Limited education mandate: RTE Act covers only up to 14 years.
Weak rehabilitation: No uniform national rehab policy.
Cultural normalisation: Domestic work, orchestras remain hidden and unregulated.
Strategy Forward:
Launch a National Mission to End Child Labour.
Extend compulsory education to 18 years.
Expand list of hazardous occupations under CLPR Act.
Establish district-level Task Forces and Rehabilitation Funds.
Enforce zero-tolerance in public procurement.
Conclusion:
Eradication of child labour requires coordinated legal, social, and economic action — not just rescue, but restoration of childhood.
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use this answer’s structure as a template for related topics like bonded labour, child trafficking, or informal sector regulation. You can also insert a quote like:
“Child labour perpetuates poverty, illiteracy and deprives children of their dignity” – Kailash Satyarthi
Concept Simplifier / Explanation
🔹 1. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (Amended in 2016)
Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in all occupations
Allows employment of 15–18 years (adolescents) only in non-hazardous work
Amended Act introduced the concept of “family-based work” exemption – a major
loophole
Also created a Rehabilitation Fund, but implementation is weak
🔹 2. ILO Convention 182
International treaty on the Worst Forms of Child Labour
India ratified it in 2017
Calls for elimination of slavery, trafficking, forced labour, use of children in:
Drug trade
Prostitution and pornography
Hazardous industries
Spas, orchestras, domestic work fall under this
🔹 3. Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009
Makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14
Critics argue it should be extended to 18 years to align with dropout ages and adolescent protection
🔹 4. SDG 8.7
Part of UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal: End child labour in all its forms by 2025
Report recommends extending this to 2030, citing ground-level realities
🔹 5. Just Rights for Children (JRC) & C-LAB
JRC: Network of 250+ NGOs working on child rights
C-LAB: Legal and behavioural research partner
Their 2025 report shows that prosecution creates deterrence, and legal action must be the foundation of reform
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
In answers, use these terms as micro-facts or concept bombs.
Example: “India’s ratification of ILO Convention 182 in 2017 mandates zero tolerance for exploitative child labour practices.”
Key Data, Laws, Schemes, Reports from the Article
📍 Rescue Operations (2024–25)
Total children rescued: 53,651
Rescue operations: 38,889
States involved: 24 states/UTs
Top states by rescues:
Telangana – 11,063
Bihar – 3,974
Rajasthan – 3,847
Uttar Pradesh – 3,804
Delhi – 2,588
📍 Legal Action Taken
FIRs filed: 38,388
Arrests made: 5,809
Child-labour-related arrests: ~85%
📍 Types of Labour (Worst Forms)
As per ILO Convention 182:
Spas and massage parlours
Orchestra troupes
Domestic labour
Informal entertainment
Pornography, sexual exploitation
📍 Recommendations from JRC–C-LAB Report
National Mission to End Child Labour
District-level Task Forces
Child Labour Rehabilitation Fund
National Rehabilitation Policy
Extend RTE till 18 years
State-specific child labour policies
Zero-tolerance in govt procurement
Expand list of hazardous occupations
Extend SDG 8.7 deadline to 2030
📍 Legal & International Frameworks
Law / Treaty
Relevance
CLPR Act (1986, amended 2016)
Prohibits child labour under 14; restricts hazardous work under 18
RTE Act, 2009
Education free & compulsory till 14
ILO Convention 182
India ratified in 2017; targets worst forms of child labour
SDG 8.7
End child labour by 2025 (proposed 2030)
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use data + law + recommendation triad to frame any UPSC answer:
“According to a 2025 JRC report, over 53,000 children were rescued from exploitative labour across 24 states — a trend that highlights both the progress in enforcement and the persistent policy gaps.”
Linkage to PYQs (Previous Year Questions)
Here’s how the "Child Labour in India" topic connects to actual UPSC Mains and Prelims questions:
📘 GS Paper 2 – Governance, Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections
✅ PYQ 2020
“‘Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO’s education plan in danger’. Examine the statement in the context of challenges to education of children.”
📌 Link: Lack of funding + failure to extend RTE till 18 years → promotes
dropout → fuels child labour.
✅ PYQ 2017
“Examine the constitutional principles reflected in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.”
📌 Link: Justice, equality, and dignity of the individual are violated by child
labour — makes for strong conclusion material.
✅ PYQ 2015
“The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is a step in the right direction. Discuss the extent to which the Act will be helpful in reducing discrimination in Indian society.”
📌 Link: You can analogously use Child Labour Act (1986, amended 2016)
and critique its loopholes (e.g., family-based exemptions).
📘 GS Paper 1 – Indian Society
✅ PYQ 2018
“What are the challenges to social reform movements in India in the 21st century?”
📌 Link: Even after 75+ years of independence, child labour persists due to
informal sector, poverty, and weak governance — shows cultural inertia.
📘 GS Paper 4 – Ethics Case Study Usage
You can use this article’s data in a case study such as:
"You are a District Collector and find that child labour is rampant in the unorganised sector of your district. What steps will you take balancing legality and empathy?"
Use data like:
"38,889 rescues"
"85% of arrests directly related to child labour" To back your enforcement response.
📘 Prelims-Style Relevance
ILO conventions and CLPR Act have been asked multiple times.
Eg: “Which of the following Conventions of ILO has India ratified?”
Convention 182 (child labour) ✅
Convention 138 (minimum age) ✅
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Keep a small table of PYQs like this topic-wise in your notes. It’ll help in last-month revision and framing answers with real UPSC insight.
Child Labour in India (2024–25 Update)
🔷 I. Context & Trigger
Based on 2025 JRC–C-LAB report: “Building the Case for Zero”
Over 53,000 children rescued from worst forms of child labour
Top states: Telangana, Bihar, Rajasthan
🔷 II. Key Data & Trends
Rescue ops: 38,889 across 24 states
Children rescued: 53,651
FIRs registered: 38,388
Arrests made: 5,809 (85% child-labour-specific)
90% were in sectors covered under ILO Convention 182
Alarming forms: Spas, massage parlours, domestic labour, orchestras, sexual exploitation
🔷 III. Legal Frameworks
Law / Treaty
Provision
CLPR Act (1986, amended 2016)
Prohibits child labour <14 yrs; restricts hazardous work for 15–18 yrs
RTE Act, 2009
Free, compulsory education 6–14 yrs
ILO Convention 182
Eliminates worst forms of child labour
SDG 8.7
Target: End child labour by 2025 (report recommends 2030)
🔷 IV. Report Recommendations
National Mission to End Child Labour
Child Labour Task Forces at district level
Rehabilitation Fund + National Policy
Compulsory education till 18 years
Zero tolerance in government procurement
Expand hazardous list under CLPR Act
🔷 V. Ethics/Essay Relevance
Themes: Justice, dignity, empathy, child rights, systemic inequality
Use case of strong vs. weak enforcement states
Quote: “Eradication means more than rescue – it means restoration of childhood.”
🔷 VI. Linkages
GS1: Society – Child issues
GS2: Governance, Policy failure
GS3: Inclusive growth, Employment
GS4: Ethics case studies – justice, duty, compassion
Essay: “India’s children deserve freedom, not fear”
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Print or digitally clip these notes into a “Society” or “Social Justice” folder — so in Mains prep or revision, you find it instantly.
Essay & Ethics Usage: Child Labour in India
📝 A. Essay Paper Use (Paper I)
🔹 Suggested Essay Themes
“Children are the mirror of a nation’s soul”
“Justice delayed is childhood denied”
“Real development begins where child labour ends”
“Eradication of poverty must begin with the child”
🔹 How to Use This Article
Intro: Use recent stat: “In 2024–25, over 53,000 children were rescued from labour exploitation across 24 states…”
Argument: Despite laws, poor enforcement + socio-economic vulnerabilities sustain child labour.
Solution Layer: Cite report recommendations: Task forces, compulsory education till 18, national rehabilitation policy
Conclusion: Add a quote or vision — “The end of child labour is not charity, it is justice.”
🧭 B. Ethics Paper Use (GS Paper IV)
🔹 Relevant Topics
Public service values: Compassion, integrity, responsiveness
Probity in governance: Failure of enforcement = ethical failure
Aptitude and foundational values for civil services
Case study relevance: District administration, police, child welfare
🔹 How to Embed It in Ethics
As a case study:
“You are a District Magistrate in a region with rising cases of child labour. NGOs allege police inaction. Parents fear loss of income if children are removed from work. How will you act?”
Use Data/Evidence to Justify:
“Telangana shows high arrest-to-rescue ratio — showcasing ethical governance. But UP lags, showing a failure of administrative will.”
Add a Quote:
“True character is revealed not in how we treat the powerful, but how we protect the powerless.”
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
In GS4 answers, use “contrast models” — show ethical failure vs ethical excellence between states like Telangana (strong action) vs UP/MP (weak enforcement). Judges love real-world parallels.
Practice Test Questions Based on Child Labour Article
🔷 I. GS Mains Questions
✅ GS Paper 2 – Governance / Polity
Q1. Despite being prohibited by law, child labour continues to thrive in India. Critically examine the systemic loopholes and suggest measures to ensure stronger enforcement.
Q2. Evaluate the role of civil society and non-governmental organisations in addressing child labour in India. Illustrate with examples.
✅ GS Paper 3 – Economy / Human Resource Development
Q3. “Child labour is both a symptom and a cause of economic inequality.” Discuss.
🔷 II. Ethics – GS Paper 4
✅ Case Study (150–200 words)
You are posted as the District Magistrate in a backward district of Bihar where recent inspections revealed over 700 cases of child labour in roadside dhabas, brick kilns, and orchestras.
NGOs accuse police of complicity, while locals say removing children would starve families.
What ethical dilemmas do you face?
What administrative and ethical principles would guide your action plan?
🔷 III. Essay Paper – Section A/B
✅ Essay Topics
Q1. “The future of a nation lies in how it treats its children.”
Q2. “Social justice begins with securing childhood.”
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use these for daily answer writing, or build a separate folder of case studies and essay intros. Practice writing even bullet-format outlines to speed up revision.
Comparative Analysis: Child Labour Laws and Enforcement
🔷 India’s Approach (As per the article and existing laws)
Area | India |
Legal Age for Work | <14 = Prohibited; 15–18 = Allowed in non-hazardous work |
Education Mandate | Compulsory till 14 (RTE Act) |
Enforcement | Uneven across states (Telangana strong; UP, MP weak) |
Judicial + NGO Role | Active but under-resourced |
Convention Ratified | ✅ ILO Convention 182, Convention 138 |
Rehab Policy | Weak implementation; no national standard yet |
Punishment | Often delayed; low conviction rate |
🔷 Brazil’s Approach
Area | Brazil |
Legal Age for Work | <16 = Prohibited; 16–18 only with strict safety & hour restrictions |
Education | Compulsory till 17 years of age |
Strong Conditional Cash Transfers | Bolsa Família scheme provides financial aid if children attend school and avoid labour |
Monitoring | National registry tracks rescued children’s status |
Impact | Brazil reduced child labour by 58% (2000–2020) |
🔷 Bangladesh’s Approach
Area | Bangladesh |
Focus on Garment Sector | Massively cracked down post international pressure |
ILO Partnership | Strong collaboration with ILO and UNICEF |
Education + Skilling | Vocational training for rescued children |
Enforcement | Patchy, but improving due to global trade dependencies |
🧭 What India Can Learn
Brazil | Bangladesh |
Expand conditional welfare like Bolsa Família to reduce economic push | Strengthen international partnerships to monitor sectors like domestic help and informal entertainment |
Centralize child rescue + rehab tracking | Use trade pressure and SDG diplomacy for reforms |
Extend education till 18 years legally | Diversify rehabilitation into skilling pathways |
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use these comparisons in GS2 answers and Interviews to show global awareness. Just 1–2 lines can elevate your answer quality immensely:
“Unlike Brazil, where conditional cash transfers have helped reduce child labour by 58%, India lacks integrated education-financial support systems.”
Interview Preparation: Child Labour in India
🔷 I. DAF-Based Questions (If your background includes law, social work, teaching, or economics)
“You have studied law/sociology/economics. In your view, why does child labour still persist in India despite legal prohibition?”
“As someone from [your home state], have you observed any form of child labour around you? What did you do about it?”
“If you are posted as SDM in an industrial cluster, what steps would you take to identify and eliminate child labour?”
🔷 II. Panel-Style Analytical Questions
Theme
Question
Law vs Implementation
“Child Labour Act has been amended in 2016. Has that made any real difference on the ground?”
Enforcement Gaps
“Why do you think Telangana performs better in enforcement than UP or MP?”
Role of NGOs
“Some believe NGOs exaggerate numbers to stay relevant. Do you agree?”
Welfare & Poverty
“Should government give compensation to families who lose income when children are withdrawn from work?”
RTE Act
“Should Right to Education be extended to 18 years? Would that solve the problem?”
SDG Commitment
“India has committed to SDG 8.7. Do you think it is achievable by
2030?”
🔷 III. Situational/Policy Questions
“You are a District Magistrate. A raid on a local factory finds 40 children working in poor conditions. Media is present, local politician calls you asking to go soft. What will you do?”
“The national rehab fund for child labour is underutilized. What policy changes would you suggest to make it effective?”
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
In interviews, always bridge law + economics + empathy. If asked: “Why is child labour still high?”
You say:
“It’s not just a legal failure but a socio-economic issue — lack of schooling till 18, no compensation for rescued families, and poor rehab. Enforcement like in Telangana proves that strong will can change outcomes.”
Integration with Other Current Affairs
🧩 A. Education Policy & Dropouts
Related News: NEP 2020 in rollout phase; RTE still ends at 14 years
Integration:
Link poor RTE coverage with child labour surge
Suggest expanding RTE to 18 years as per JRC recommendations
GS Paper 2: Education, policies for vulnerable groups
Essay Angle: “Learning ends when earning begins – tackling economic compulsion through educational policy.”
🧩 B. Informal Sector Regulation
Related News: Gig workers, domestic workers lack formal protection
Integration:
Child labour thrives in sectors like spas, orchestras, domestic work Urgent need for labour codes reform + tracking systems
GS Paper 3: Employment, labour reforms
Ethics: “Invisible exploitation is still exploitation.”
🧩 C. India’s Global Image & SDG Commitments
Related News: India reaffirming SDG goals at G20 & UNHRC
Integration:
SDG 8.7 aims to end child labour by 2025 — India needs extension till 2030, as per JRC
GS Paper 2: International commitments, governance
Interview: “What happens if India misses SDG 8.7?”
🧩 D. Women & Child Safety Frameworks
Related News: POCSO Act reforms, anti-trafficking bills, NCPCR action
Integration:
Link child labour to vulnerability to abuse, trafficking, and exploitation, esp. for girls
GS Paper 1/2: Vulnerable sections, women and children
Essay Angle: “From rescue to dignity: Building a child-safe India”
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use connecting phrases in answers like:
“This issue cannot be seen in isolation…”
“When seen alongside NEP and SDG 8.7...”
“Like the domestic worker reforms underway…”
These show intellectual depth and interlinkage ability — something UPSC rewards in Mains and Interview.
UPSC Vocabulary Builder (Topic: Child Labour)
🔷 I. High-Impact Terms (Use These in GS/Essay)
Term | Meaning | Usage |
Structural vulnerability | Long-term, systemic risk due to poverty, illiteracy, caste | “Child labour stems from structural vulnerability embedded in informal sectors.” |
Invisible exploitation | Abuse that hides behind ‘normal’ settings (e.g. domestic labour) | “Domestic child workers often face invisible exploitation in urban homes.” |
Intergenerational poverty | Poverty passed from one generation to next | “Child labour sustains intergenerational poverty cycles.” |
Institutional convergence | Coordination among police, labour dept., NGOs, judiciary | “Institutional convergence is key to dismantling child labour networks.” |
Legal deterrence | Fear of punishment as a preventive tool | “The JRC report argues that prosecution creates legal deterrence.” |
Rehabilitative justice | Justice that restores dignity, not just punishes | “Children need rehabilitative justice, not just rescue operations.” |
🔷 II. Essay-Level Phrases & Analogies
Type | Example |
🔹 Metaphor | “Childhood is not a commodity to be traded — it is the foundation of a nation’s soul.” |
🔹 Contrast Phrase | “While laws prohibit child labour, poverty and poor enforcement enable it.” |
🔹 Bridge Sentence | “Eradication is not the end — rehabilitation is the real beginning.” |
🔹 Quote-worthy line | “A rescued child without education is just a statistic in waiting.” |
🔹 Moral argument | “Every child in labour is a failure of the collective conscience.” |
🔷 III. Words to Avoid / Replace
Common Word | Replace With |
Poor enforcement | Fragile compliance / lax monitoring |
Bad situation | Deep-rooted crisis / systemic failure |
Government action | Institutional response / policy framework |
Problem | Multi-layered challenge / structural issue |
Solution | Roadmap / comprehensive intervention |
🟨 Value Addition Tip:
Use 2–3 such phrases per answer or essay. They’ll elevate your writing tone without sounding artificial.
Practice rephrasing PYQ answers using this vocabulary to train your UPSC brain.
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