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

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Published on 29 September 2026 by

The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 is an important labour law in India that aims to protect children and adolescents from exploitation at work. The Act was significantly amended in 2016, introducing stricter restrictions on child labour, a separate framework for adolescent labour, higher penalties, and rehabilitation measures. It is an important topic for labour law and social security-related competitive exams.

What is the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986?

The Act was enacted to prohibit the employment of children and regulate the working conditions of adolescents. After the 2016 amendment, the law completely prohibits the employment of children below 14 years, subject to specific statutory exceptions. It also prohibits adolescents between 14 and 18 years from working in hazardous occupations and processes. The Act also provides for penalties and rehabilitation of affected children and adolescents.

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The UPSC EPFO APFC Child and Adolescent Labour Act Quiz PDF is useful for revising important concepts related to child labour, adolescent labour, prohibited employment, exceptions, hazardous occupations, penalties, rehabilitation, and the 2016 amendment.

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Attempt UPSC EPFO APFC Child and Adolescent Labour Act Quiz

Test your preparation with the UPSC EPFO APFC Child and Adolescent Labour Act Quiz and revise important concepts related to child labour, adolescent labour, prohibited occupations, exceptions, penalties, rehabilitation, and key provisions of the 2016 amendment.

UPSC EPFO APFC Child and Adolescent Labour Act Quiz Score: 0.00

1. The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 was enacted as which Act number?

2. On which date was the principal Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 enacted?

3. Which amendment substantially recast the 1986 law by introducing the adolescent category and a general prohibition on child employment?

4. The principal provisions of the 2016 Amendment Act were brought into force from:

5. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017 were notified on:

6. The revised hazardous Schedule under the amended child labour law was notified in 2017 on:

7. Which statement best describes the central change from the original 1986 scheme to the post-2016 scheme?

8. As of September 2026, which statement is correct regarding the 1986 Act?

9. The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme has been subsumed with which scheme?

10. Under the Act, an “adolescent” is a person who:

11. Under the amended Act, the definition of “child” is linked to which other central law?

12. Which of the following correctly states the statutory definition of “child”?

13. In ordinary cases not specifically assigned to the Central Government, the appropriate Government is the:

14. Under the Act, “occupier” in relation to an establishment or workshop means the person who:

15. Which statement reflects Section 3(1) after the 2016 amendment?

16. A child may help the family or family enterprise under Section 3 only if, among other conditions, the work is:

17. Which activity is expressly excluded from the child-artist exception?

18. The child-artist exception under Section 3 is subject to the overriding condition that the work must not:

19. Section 3A primarily deals with:

20. Which statement about adolescents is correct under the Act?

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What are the objectives of the Child and Adolescent Labour Act?

The main objectives of the Act are to protect children from employment and prevent adolescents from working in hazardous conditions.

  • Prohibition of Child Labour: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years, subject to specified exceptions.
  • Protection of Adolescents: Prohibits adolescents from working in hazardous occupations and processes.
  • Safe Working Conditions: Regulates the working conditions and hours of adolescents in permitted employment.
  • Child Welfare: Supports the education, health, safety, and development of children.
  • Rehabilitation: Provides for measures to rehabilitate children rescued from prohibited employment.

What are the key definitions under the Act?

The 2016 amendment introduced important changes in the terminology used under the Act.

TermMeaning
ChildA person who has not completed 14 years of age, or the age specified under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, whichever is higher.
AdolescentA person who has completed 14 years but has not completed 18 years.
EstablishmentA place or unit where any industry, trade, business, manufacture or occupation is carried on.
Hazardous Occupation/ProcessOccupations or processes specified as hazardous under the Act and related rules.
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What are the important provisions of the Act?

The Act provides a clear framework for prohibiting child labour and regulating adolescent labour.

  • Employment of children below 14 years is prohibited in all occupations and processes, subject to specified exceptions.
  • Adolescents aged 14 to below 18 years cannot be employed in hazardous occupations or processes.
  • Adolescents working in permitted employment are subject to restrictions on working hours and periods of rest.
  • Children may assist in a family enterprise after school hours or during vacations, subject to the conditions provided under the Act.
  • Participation of children as artists is permitted in specified circumstances and subject to prescribed conditions.
  • The Act provides for higher penalties for employers violating its provisions.
  • It also provides for a Child and Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund.

What changed after the 2016 Amendment?

The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 brought major changes to the original 1986 law.

Before 2016 AmendmentAfter 2016 Amendment
Focused mainly on prohibition in specified occupations/processesEmployment of children prohibited in all occupations and processes, subject to specified exceptions
No separate category of adolescent labourAdolescent category introduced for 14–18 years
Limited framework for adolescent workersEmployment of adolescents prohibited in hazardous occupations and processes
Lower penaltiesStricter penalties for violations
No specific rehabilitation fundChild and Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund introduced
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Why is the Child and Adolescent Labour Act important?

The Act plays an important role in protecting children from exploitation and ensuring that their education and development are not affected by employment. It also provides safeguards for adolescents by restricting their employment in hazardous work. The 2016 amendment strengthened these protections and made the law more comprehensive.

FAQs

1. What is the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986?

It is a labour law that prohibits child employment and regulates the employment of adolescents.

2. Who is considered a child under the Act?

A child is a person who has not completed 14 years of age, subject to the age provision specified in the Act.

3. Who is an adolescent under the Act?

An adolescent is a person who has completed 14 years but has not completed 18 years.

4. When was the Act significantly amended?

The Act was significantly amended in 2016.

5. Can adolescents work in hazardous occupations?

No, adolescents cannot be employed in hazardous occupations and processes specified under the law.