Abstract

In spite of the country’s progress in social and economic areas, child labour is still a major problem in India. The efficacy of these measures is still up for debate, despite the passage of several legislation including the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and its 2016 revision. The data collected on the PENCiL website from 2018 to 2022 have been employed in this research study to critically analyze the child labour law application and its effectiveness in India. Among other factors, such as economic difficulties, lack of public knowledge, and a scarcity of resources, the research highlights the inability of enforcement due to such issues. This further highlight regional differences; attention to places such as Uttar Pradesh, which witnessed the maximum rescues and complaints, and other states where minimal or no intervention is recorded at all. The deficiencies in the procedures of enforcement, rehabilitation, and awareness have caused underreporting and inappropriate treatments, according to the study. Judicial remedies and historic decisions have played a role in shaping the legal environment, but systematic poverty and structural constraints have continued to hinder progress. Raising public awareness, educating the public, and financial aid are the most emphasized means of combating child labour. To improve the enforcement of child labour regulations and ensure protection and rehabilitation of affected children, this research analyzes policies, legal frameworks, and implementation methods. The results are sought to be an addition to the discussion of children’s rights and solution to this problem of child labour in India.

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