Question

In the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015, "children in need of care and protection" specifically excludes:

• A. Children engaged in unlawful activities
• B. Orphaned children
• C. Children subjected to sexual abuse
• D. Children working in hazardous conditions

Hint:

Remember the two arms of the JJ Act: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for the victim child (CNCP) and the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) for the accused child (CCL). A child cannot be in both categories for the same reason.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Categories of Children: The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, defines two child categories:
1. Child in need of care and protection (CNCP): A vulnerable or victimized child (handled by the Child Welfare Committee - CWC).
2. Child in conflict with law (CCL): A child accused of an offense (handled by the Juvenile Justice Board - JJB).
The question asks who is excluded from the CNCP category.
Step 2: Option Analysis:

(A) Children engaged in unlawful activities: Children accused of offenses are CCLs, not CNCPs. This is an exclusion.
(B) Orphaned children: Orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered children are CNCPs (as per Section 2(14) of the Act).
(C) Children subjected to sexual abuse: Abused, tortured, or exploited children are explicitly CNCPs.
(D) Children working in hazardous conditions: Children working illegally are also CNCPs.

Step 3: Conclusion: Children involved in unlawful activities are categorized as 'children in conflict with law' and are excluded from the 'children in need of care and protection' definition.