<p>Child Protection in India: A Legal Perspective</p>

This paper discusses the legal framework of child protection in India and its effectiveness in safeguarding children against abuse, exploitation, and neglect through constitutional provisions, legal enactments, and institutional responses. Children are extremely vulnerable due to their age and developmental stage, making them a priority for legal protection to ensure their safety and well-being. The paper focuses on some of the constitutional provisions that are critical in safeguarding children, including Articles 14, 15(3), 21, and 21A, which ensure equality before the law, provision of special provisions for children, and protection of their right to life, dignity, and education. The paper also discusses some of the major legal enactments that are critical in safeguarding children against abuse, exploitation, and neglect, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO), the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. In addition, some of the institutions that are critical in safeguarding children against abuse, exploitation, and neglect through child protection policies, including the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, and Mission Vatsalya, are also discussed. Nevertheless, issues such as child labour, trafficking, sexual abuse, child marriage, and enforcement continue to plague the effective protection and promotion of child rights. The paper concludes that effective implementation of existing child rights laws, increased awareness among the public, institutional coordination, and training for all stakeholders in child rights protection are essential in the effective protection and promotion of child rights in India.