Child Labour and Trafficking — Amendments

Amendment	Year	Description	Impact
86th Constitutional Amendment Act	2002	Inserted Article 21A, making education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6-14 years. Also changed Article 45 to focus on early childhood care for children below six years.	Provided a constitutional guarantee for elementary education, thereby indirectly combating child labour by ensuring children are in schools rather than workplaces. Shifted the focus of Article 45 to early childhood development.
Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act	2016	Amended the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. Prohibited employment of children below 14 years in all occupations and adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous occupations. Introduced exemptions for family enterprises and entertainment industry.	Broadened the scope of prohibition for children below 14 years. Introduced the category of 'adolescents' with specific restrictions. Increased penalties for violations. The 'family enterprise' exemption, however, has been a subject of debate regarding its potential for misuse.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act	2015	Replaced the JJ Act, 2000. Introduced stricter provisions for heinous crimes committed by juveniles aged 16-18. Significantly strengthened provisions for child protection, including specific sections on child trafficking and exploitation.	Provided a more robust legal framework for the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in need, including victims of trafficking. Clarified roles of CWCs and JJBs. Introduced specific penalties for child trafficking and exploitation, making it a more comprehensive law for child protection.