Which Article of the Indian Constitution prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factories, mine or other hazardous activities?

Question

Question

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UP Police SI (दरोगा) Official PYP (Held On: 14 Nov 2021 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Article 24.

Key Points

Article 24 of the Indian Constitution explicitly prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines, or any other hazardous activities.
This provision is a part of the Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution, ensuring the protection of children against exploitation.
It is designed to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of children and ensure they are not subjected to hazardous working conditions.
Article 24 complements other child welfare policies, such as the Right to Education (Article 21A), which guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
This prohibition aligns with international conventions like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the International Labour Organization's (ILO) standards.

Additional Information

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986:
- This Act prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in certain hazardous occupations and processes.
- It also regulates the working conditions of children in non-hazardous occupations.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP):
- It is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at rehabilitating working children by providing them access to education and vocational training.
- The project includes Special Training Centres for rescued child labourers.
Right to Education Act, 2009:
- Under this Act, all children aged 6-14 years are entitled to free and compulsory education.
- This indirectly helps in reducing child labour by keeping children in schools rather than workplaces.
UNCRC and ILO Conventions:
- India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992, ensuring the protection of children’s rights, including freedom from exploitation.
- India is also a signatory to the International Labour Organization’s Conventions on child labour, reinforcing its commitment to eradicate hazardous child labour.