The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

Published on 29 September 2025 by
The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

Labour laws in India have always aimed at protecting the interests of workers and ensuring that they are not exploited by employers. These laws deal with wages, working conditions, safety, social security, and industrial relations. Among these, the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 is a key legislation that protects children and adolescents from exploitation at work while promoting education and safe working conditions.

The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

This Act was introduced at a time when child labour was widespread in India, particularly in factories, domestic work, and informal sectors. Children were often deprived of education and exposed to unsafe work environments that harmed their health and development. The Act provided a legal framework to prohibit employment of children below 14 years and regulate work for adolescents aged 14–18 years.

Background of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

Child labour became a major social concern in India during the 1980s. Many children were forced to work long hours in hazardous conditions, which affected their physical, mental, and educational development. Following recommendations from international bodies like the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Indian Parliament enacted this Act in 1986, and it came into force in 1987. The Act was designed to curb exploitation, protect child rights, and ensure access to education.

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Objectives of the Act

The objectives of the Act focus on protecting children from exploitation and regulating adolescent work.

  • Prohibition of Child Labour: Complete ban on employment of children below 14 years in all occupations.
  • Regulation of Adolescent Labour: Adolescents aged 14–18 years can work only in non-hazardous occupations with restricted hours.
  • Promotion of Education and Welfare: Encourages school attendance and ensures holistic development of children.
  • Protection from Exploitation: Safeguards children and adolescents from work that could harm their health, safety, or morals.

Applicability of the Act

The Act applies to all establishments across India, both organized and unorganized, where children or adolescents may be employed.

  • Children Covered: Employment of children below 14 years is strictly prohibited in all occupations.
  • Adolescents Covered: Persons aged 14–18 years can work only in non-hazardous occupations under regulated conditions.
  • Industries and Establishments: Factories, shops, hotels, restaurants, domestic work, and other workplaces.
  • Government Oversight: Labour inspectors monitor compliance and take action against violators.
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Key Definitions under the Act

To properly understand the Act, it is important to know the key terms defined under the law.

  • Child: Any person below 14 years of age.
  • Adolescent: Any person aged between 14 and 18 years.
  • Occupation: Any activity undertaken for wages or profit.
  • Hazardous Occupation: Work that may harm the health, safety, or morals of children and adolescents.

Important Provisions of the Act

The Act contains several provisions to regulate child and adolescent labour effectively.

  • Prohibition: Children below 14 years cannot be employed in any occupation or process.
  • Regulation of Adolescents: Adolescents may work only in non-hazardous occupations with restrictions on hours.
  • Working Hours: Night work and excessive weekly hours are prohibited for adolescent workers.
  • Penalties: Employers who violate the Act face fines and imprisonment.
  • Inspection and Enforcement: Labour inspectors are authorized to inspect establishments and ensure compliance.
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Amendments and Modern Relevance

The Act has been amended over time to strengthen protections, with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 being the most notable.

  • Banned employment of children below 14 years in all occupations, including domestic work.
  • Strengthened protection for adolescents and regulated working conditions.
  • Increased penalties for violations and introduced rehabilitation measures for rescued children.
  • Continues to play a critical role in safeguarding child rights in India.

Importance of the Act

The Act is important because it provides legal protection to children and adolescents against exploitation and unsafe working conditions.

  • Protection of Children: Ensures children are not forced into hazardous work and have access to education.
  • Promotion of Education and Welfare: Encourages school attendance and holistic development.
  • Social Justice: Reduces child labour and promotes equitable opportunities for vulnerable sections of society.
  • Foundation for Labour Reforms: Provides the basis for further child protection and labour welfare laws.
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Relevance for UPSC EPFO and Other Exams

For aspirants of UPSC EPFO, SSC, State PSC, and banking exams, this Act is highly relevant.

  • Questions often focus on prohibited age, regulated age, hazardous occupations, and penalties.
  • Understanding the Act helps aspirants link child welfare initiatives with India’s broader labour law framework.
  • Knowledge of the Act reflects India’s commitment to international conventions on child labour and social justice.

FAQs

1. What is the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986?
The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 is an Indian labour law that prohibits employment of children below 14 years and regulates working conditions for adolescents aged 14–18 years.

2. What are the objectives of the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986?
The Act aims to protect children from exploitation, promote education, regulate adolescent work hours, and ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

3. Who is considered a child and an adolescent under this Act?
A child is any person below 14 years of age, while an adolescent is a person between 14 and 18 years. These definitions are crucial for enforcement of child labour laws.

4. What are the important provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986?
Key provisions include prohibition of child labour, regulated work hours for adolescents, restrictions on hazardous occupations, penalties for violations, and inspection by labour authorities.

5. How is the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986 relevant for UPSC EPFO and other exams?
This Act is important for UPSC EPFO, SSC, and State PSC exams as questions often cover prohibited age, regulated work, hazardous occupations, penalties, and government enforcement mechanisms.