From Policy To Practice: A Ground-Level Evaluation Of India's Juvenile Justice System - A Study Of Institutional Realities And Implementation Gaps
- IJLLR Journal
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Tannu Kumari, LL.B. (Hons.), Amity Law School, Noida.
ABSTRACT
The Juvenile justice system in India is a complex, evolving synthesis of constitutional and international human rights commitments, along with a multifaceted approach within the country. The system was skilfully designed to take into account the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which adopts a restorative approach. The comprehensive research report covers the structural, administrative and legal aspects of the juvenile justice system in India. Analyses the statutory change of the law on adoption leading to the controversial Juvenile Justice (Amendment) Act, 2021, and fundamentally changing severe institutional offences against children in crime to non-cognizable, bringing to light the issues of child protection and constitutional issues on the separation of powers. The analysis relies on extensive empirical data from the India Justice Report (2025), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) performance audits, independent civil society reports, and key Supreme Court Prudent decisions, and reveals serious capacity gaps across the juvenile justice continuum. These system administrative bottlenecks are evident in the chronic case pendency of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), the acute shortage of specific infrastructure, such as places of safety, at the national level, and the lack of mental health, probation, and medical officers in Child Care Institutions (CCIs). Micro level institutional case studies including the administrative challenges faced in National Capital Territory of Delhi showcase the devastating impact of state 'data blindness,' poor legal support, and the significant extent to which Juvenile Justice Model Rules of 2016 are not being followed. Ultimately, the findings of the study suggests that however good and transparent the legislative framework for delivering protection is, if the execution gap is not addressed through a massive increase in levels of funding, rigorous accountability mechanisms between agencies, and a robust professionalisation program of officers working in the first-line of response (FLOR) to children's needs.
Keywords: Juvenile, Delinquency, First-line of response, Juvenile Justice Board, Child Care Institution, Mission Vatsalya.
