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

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Introduction

The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 is India’s main law to stop child labour. It was first passed in 1986 and completely changed in 2016 to become stricter. People now call it the Child Labour Act or CLPR Act. The law says:

No child below 14 can work anywhere except in family business or as artist (with conditions).
14–18 years adolescents can work only in non-hazardous jobs.
Complete ban on 38 hazardous occupations and 65 processes.

Scope and Objective

Who is protected? Every child below 14 and every adolescent 14–18 years. Simple Objectives:

Completely stop work by children under 14 (except light family help)
Stop dangerous and harmful work for 14–18 year olds
Send rescued children to school and give them rehabilitation
Punish employers who break the law

Key Definitions – Explained with Everyday Examples

Child Any person who has not completed 14 years of age. Example: A 13-year-old boy helping in a hotel kitchen → illegal.
Adolescent Person who has completed 14 but not 18 years. Example: A 16-year-old girl stitching footballs in factory → allowed only if not hazardous.
Family Only parents, brothers, sisters (not uncles, cousins). Example: 12-year-old helping mother weave sarees at home after school → allowed. 12-year-old helping uncle’s shop → NOT allowed.
Family Enterprise Business run only by family members and only for family profit. Example: Father-son pottery unit at home → allowed (with strict time rules).
Hazardous Work 38 occupations + 65 processes listed in the Schedule (mines, explosives, slaughter houses, brick kilns, etc.). Example: 15-year-old working in firecracker unit → completely banned.
Artist Child working in audio-visual entertainment (TV, films, ads) with government permission. Example: 11-year-old acting in a movie → allowed permission needed + max 5 hours + school compulsory.

Applicability of the Law

The Act applies to the whole of India and to every type of workplace – factories, shops, hotels, homes, farms, streets, circus, etc. There is no minimum number of workers required. Even one child working is illegal.

Only two exceptions where a child below 14 can work:

Helping own family enterprise after school hours (max 3 hours/day, no hazardous work)
Working as artist in films/TV with district magistrate permission

Important Provisions of the Act – Step-by-Step Simple Explanation

1. Complete Ban on Child Labour (Below 14) – Section 3

No child can be employed or allowed to work in any occupation or process. Real Example 2025: A sweet shop in Jaipur was raided – two 12-year-old boys were washing utensils → shop fined ₹1 lakh + boys sent to school.

2. Regulation of Adolescent Labour (14–18 years) – Section 3(5)

Adolescents can work only in non-hazardous jobs and with these safety rules:

Maximum 6 hours per day (including rest)
No night work (10 pm to 7 am)
Medical certificate compulsory every 6 months Real Example: A 16-year-old boy works in a garment shop from 10 am to 5 pm → allowed. Same boy works in glass factory (hazardous) → illegal.

3. List of Banned Hazardous Work (Schedule)

38 occupations + 65 processes completely banned for everyone below 18. Some examples:

Mining, explosives, slaughter houses
Brick kilns, cement bagging
Working with toxic chemicals, pesticides
Domestic servants and dhabas (added in 2016) Real Example: In 2024, Delhi Police rescued 15 children working as helpers in dhabas → owners jailed for 2 years.

4. Child/Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund – Section 14B

For every rescued child → ₹3 lakh is deposited in the Fund (₹2 lakh from employer + ₹1 lakh from government). Money is used for child’s education and food.

5. Powers of Inspectors

Labour inspectors can enter any place, check records, question people, rescue children anytime.

6. Penalties – Very Strict (Section 14)

Employer who employs any child below 14:

First time → jail 6 months to 2 years + fine ₹20,000 to ₹50,000
Repeat offence → jail 1 to 3 years

Employer who employs adolescent in hazardous work:

Same punishment as above

Parents who send child to work:

Can be fined up to ₹10,000 (but rarely done)

Real Example 2025: A firecracker factory in Sivakasi was caught with 22 children → owner got 2 years jail + ₹15 lakh total fine.

7. District Level Task Force & Child Helpline

Every district has a task force to raid and rescue children. Call 1098 (Childline) to report child labour – free and 24 hours.

8. Technical Advisory Committee

Central Government committee decides which new jobs are hazardous.

Summary in One Line

The 1986 Child Labour Act (amended 2016) says – no child below 14 can work except light family help, adolescents can work only in safe jobs, and anyone who breaks the law goes to jail and pays heavy fine.

Every child deserves school, not work. If you see child labour – call 1098. One call can change a child’s life!