Pan-India Child Labour Rescue Campaign: NCPCR Reports 3,800+ Children Rescued and 575+ FIRs - From Rescue to Rehabilitation Category GS Date Data rule Social Justice, Child Rights and Governance GS Paper II 4 September 2026 30+ numerical facts
WHY IN NEWS
- On 4 September 2026, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights reported that more than 3,800 children had been rescued from child labour during a special Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign.
- The campaign ran from 12 June to 31 August 2026 and led to more than 575 FIRs, according to NCPCR.
- The significance lies in shifting attention from episodic rescue to the complete chain of rehabilitation, restoration, school mainstreaming, compensation, prosecution and prevention of re-trafficking.
- For UPSC, connect child labour with Articles 21A, 23, 24, Directive Principles, RTE, the Child and Adolescent Labour law, trafficking, poverty, migration and district-level convergence.
TOP DATA & FACTS FOR UPSC
- NCPCR release date: 4 September 2026.
- Campaign start: 12 June 2026.
- Campaign end: 31 August 2026.
- Duration: about 80 days.
- Children rescued: over 3,800.
- FIRs registered: over 575.
- NCPCR is a statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines and hazardous employment.
- Article 21A provides free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
- The RTE Act operationalises the 6-14 age group for elementary education.
- The Child and Adolescent Labour law distinguishes children below 14 and adolescents aged 14-18.