Is child labour illegal? What should I do if I see it?
Simple answer
Yes. No child under 14 can be employed in any work, including as domestic help or in shops and dhabas. Teenagers aged 14–18 cannot work in hazardous jobs like mines or with explosives. If you see child labour, call 1098 or 112, or report it on the PENCiL portal.
Real-life examples
Lakshmi sees a 12-year-old girl working full-time as domestic help in her neighbour's house. Employing a child under 14 in any work is a crime, so she calls 1098 to report it.
Tenzin, 13, helps in his family's grocery shop after school and in the holidays. This is allowed, because it is outside school hours and the work is not hazardous.
A brick-kiln owner makes Arjun's family, including his 15-year-old son, work to repay a loan. This is bonded labour, banned for everyone: the debt is wiped out and the owner can be jailed.
What should you do?
- 1If a child is in immediate danger, call 112. Otherwise call Childline at 1098, which works 24x7.
- 2Note the place, time, number of children and type of work. Take photos only if it is safe.
- 3Report it on the PENCiL portal (pencil.gov.in), or to the district labour office or the police.
- 4Do not confront the employer yourself if it could put you or the child at risk.
- 5Follow up with Childline or the labour office. A rescued child is produced before the Child Welfare Committee for care and rehabilitation.
Exceptions & limits
- A child may help the family or family business after school hours or in holidays, if the work is not hazardous.
- Children can work as artists in films, TV, ads or sports (not circus), under safety conditions and without affecting school.
- Parents or guardians are not punished for a first offence; employers can be punished from the first offence.
Official legal reference
Constitution of India — Articles 23, 24
Bans human trafficking and forced labour; no child under 14 may work in factories, mines or other hazardous work.
Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 — Sections 3, 3A
No child under 14 in any work (family help after school and child artists allowed); no adolescent aged 14–18 in hazardous work.
Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 — Sections 14, 14A
Employers face 6 months to 2 years' jail and/or a ₹20,000–₹50,000 fine, 1–3 years for repeat offences; the offence is cognizable.
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 — Sections 4, 6, 16
Bonded labour is abolished, bonded debts are wiped out, and forcing someone into bonded labour is punishable with up to 3 years' jail and a fine.
Where to get help
Source & status
- Applies to
- All of India
- Law in force since
- 1 Sept 2016
- Legal review
- Draft — awaiting lawyer review
Educational information, not legal advice for your case. Exact facts and the law that applies matter — speak to a lawyer before acting.