India has the largest child population in the world.  More than 40 of India’s children are under 18 years.

India is armed with a policy, a charter and a plan of action

A survey through the website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development shows a number of commitments made by the Government.

Among them are a national policy, a national charter and national plan of action.

The National  Policy for Children

The new National Policy for children lays down that the State shall provide adequate services towards children, both before and after birth and during the growing stages for their full physical, mental and social development.

The measures suggested include amongst others,

• a comprehensive health programme,
• supplementary nutrition for mothers and children,
• free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14 years,
• promotion of physical education and recreational activities,
• special consideration for children of weaker sections including SCs and STs and
• prevention of exploitation of children.

The National Charter for Children

The Government of India has also adopted the National Charter for Children.

The charter is the outcome nationwide consultations with state governments, union territories, concerned ministries and departments and experts.

The National Charter is a statement of intent embodying the Government’s agenda for children.

The document emphasizes Government of India’s commitment to children’s rights to survival, health and nutrition, standard of living, play and leisure, early childhood care, education, protection or the girl child, empowering adolescents, equality, life and liberty, name and nationality, freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, the right to a family and the right to be protected from economic exploitation and all forms of abuse. 

The document also provides for protection of children in difficult circumstances, children with disabilities, children from marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and child victims. 

The document while stipulating the duties of the State and the Community towards children also emphasizes the duties of children towards family, society and the Nation. 

The National Charter for Children was notified in the Gazette of India on 9^th February, 2004.

The National Plan of Action for Children

      India has also acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to reiterate its commitment to the cause of children.  The objective of the Convention is to give every child the right to survival and development in a healthy and congenial environment.

India is also party to the Millennium Development Goals and the SAARC Conventions on Child Welfare and Combating Trafficking of Women and Children is SAARC Region.

      Ministry of Women and Child Development has prepared a National Plan of Action for Children 2005 after harmonizing the goals for children set in the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in 2002 and the monitorable targets set in the Tenth Five Year Plan and goals for children in related Ministries/ Departments. 

The Action Plan has been prepared in consultation with concerned Ministries and Departments, States/UT Governments, non-Governmental organizations and experts. 

The National Plan of Action includes goals, objectives, strategies and activities for improving nutritional status of children, reducing infant mortality (IMR)  and maternal mortality (MMR), increasing enrolment ratio and reducing drop out rates, universalisation of primary education, increasing coverage for immunization etc.