Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

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Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The National Policy for Children 2013 gives every person below 18 universal rights across survival, education, protection and participation, but its implementation is uneven. Infant mortality fell from 40 in 2013 to 26 in 2022, yet NFHS-5 still found 35.5% of under-fives stunted.

**Introduction**

The National Policy for Children (NPC), 2013 replaced the 1974 policy and made child welfare a matter of rights, yet NFHS-5 (2019-21) still found 35.5% of children under five stunted.

**Main Provisions of the National Child Policy**

SKETCH: mindmap | NPC 2013 Priority Areas
- Survival, health, nutrition
- Education and development
- Protection
- Participation

1. **Rights-based foundation**: Every person below 18 is a child whose rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified 1992).
2. **Guiding principles**: The best interest of the child, family-based care and equity for girls, disabled and tribal children guide action across the four priority areas.
3. **Machinery and review**: A National Plan of Action, a National Coordination and Action Group under the Women and Child Development Minister, child budgeting and a review every five years.

**Status of Implementation**

1. **Plan adopted late**: The National Plan of Action for Children came only in January 2017.
2. **Survival gains**: Infant mortality fell from 40 in 2013 to 26 in 2022 (SRS), helped by Mission Indradhanush, but stunting and anaemia persist.
3. **Protection strengthened**: The Juvenile Justice Act (2015), the Child Labour Amendment Act (2016) and Mission Vatsalya (2021-22) added teeth, though child-care institutions are unevenly inspected.
4. **Participation neglected**: Children's voice remains the weakest pillar, with the "Child Friendly Village" theme under localised SDGs only a recent step.

**Conclusion**

The NPC 2013 is a sound charter implemented unevenly: strong on laws and survival, weak on nutrition, coordination and participation. Judging it by outcomes rather than outlays will make every child a full citizen of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

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