Jurisprudential Trajectory On Evolution Of Child Rights In India Through The Ages
- IJLLR Journal
- Feb 7
- 1 min read
Priyamvada Shukla, Research Scholar, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow
ABSTRACT
This research paper overlook on the jurisprudential trajectory of rights of child across India, tracing its difficult from present digital world . The study seeks to explore and assess the historical evolution, current state, and continuing obstacles in the realization of child rights in India, particularly emphasis on health, survival, development, protection against exploitation, adoption, and justice. Post-Independence India marked a transformative shift towards a rights-based approach. During the Colonial era, British common law was introduced to India, accompanied by early legislations like the Apprentices Act of 1850 and the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. Although these statutes offered some protections, they were paternalistic and did not acknowledge children as autonomous rights-holders.
Despite significant progress and a clear judicial trend towards strict statutory interpretation, child centred justice, procedural efficiency, and victim dignity, challenges persist. These include high rates of malnutrition, child labour, trafficking, child marriage, and issues related to access to quality education and mental health. The primary issue is ineffective implementation of existing laws, schemes, and programmes. This necessitates strengthened enforcement mechanisms, robust awareness campaigns, and cohesive inter- agency collaboration to aim that children, as the India’s most valuable human capital and future, can thrive and realise their full potential.
Keywords: Child rights, child welfare, child advocacy, human rights, child protection, child labour, child development.
