Rights of Children in the Indian Constitution

•  Article 21A—Right to education for children between 6 and 14 years: “The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.” •          Article 24—Children below the age of 14 years shall not work in any hazardous employment: “No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.” •      Article 39(e)—Children should not be abused: “… and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.” •    Article 39(f)—Children are to be afforded opportunities and facilities to develop: “that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.” •     Article 45—State should provide early childhood education: “The State shall endeavour to provide … for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years.”