National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

• On January 12th, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, which was established in 2007 under the Commission for the Protection of Child Rights Act of 2005, celebrated its 18th Foundation Day.
• To completely devote this anniversary to children, the Commission conducted a Quiz on the occasion of National Youth Day (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti) to raise awareness about child rights among youngsters. It is a platform for children to advocate for their rights.

About the National Commission for the Protection of the Rights of the Child:

• The Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act of 2005 established the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has administrative jurisdiction over it.
• A child is defined as someone aged 0 to 18 years old under the statute.
• It seeks to guarantee that all laws, policies, programmes, and administrative mechanisms are consistent with the Child Rights perspective contained in the Indian Constitution as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• This commission comprises a chairperson and six members, at least two of whom must be women.
• The Central Government appoints them all for three years.
• The Chairman's maximum age is 65 years, and members' maximum age is 60 years.
• The Chairperson and Members' salaries and allowances, as well as other terms and conditions of employment, should be as prescribed by the Central Government.

The National Commission for the Protection of Children's Rights performs the following functions:

• Examine and review the safeguards in place to protect children's rights, and make recommendations for their successful implementation.
• Inquire into violations of children's rights and urge that legal action be taken in such circumstances.
• Examine all elements that limit children's ability to exercise their rights as a result of terrorism, communal violence, riots, natural disasters, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, mistreatment, torture and exploitation, pornography, and prostitution, and offer appropriate remedies.
• Investigate and recommend suitable corrective measures for children in need of particular care and protection, such as children in distress, marginalised and underprivileged children, children without family, and children of prisoners.
• Study treaties and other international instruments, as well as conduct periodic reviews of existing child rights policies, programmes, and activities, and provide recommendations for their successful implementation in the best interests of children.
• Conduct and encourage studies on children's rights.
• Disseminate child rights literacy across society and raise understanding of the safeguards available to defend these rights through publications, the media, seminars, and other available means.
• Inspect or arrange for the inspection of any juvenile custodial home, or any other place of residence or institution for children under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, any State Government, or any other authority.
• Inquire into complaints and take suo motu notice of matters concerning: deprivation and violation of children's rights.
• Non-implementation of legislation aimed at protecting and developing children.
• Noncompliance with governmental decisions, guidelines, or instructions intended at alleviating sufferings, safeguarding children's welfare, and providing relief to such youngsters.

What are the Constitutional Protections for Children?

• The right to live with dignity (Article 21), the right to personal liberty (Article 21), the right to privacy (Article 21), the right to equality (Article 14) and/or the right against discrimination (Article 15), and the right against exploitation are all guaranteed by the Constitution to every child (Article 23 & 24).
• All children aged 6 to 14 have the right to free and obligatory primary education (Article 21 A)
• The Directive Principles of State Policy, specifically Article 39(f), impose an obligation on the State to provide opportunities and facilities for children to develop in a healthy, free, and dignified way, as well as to protect childhood and youth from exploitation and moral turpitude.