NCPCR rescues over 3,800 children from child labour under a special campaign
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) launched a special “Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation” Campaign on 12 June 2026, which continued up to 31 August 2026. NCPCR undertook coordinated measures with the concerned State Governments.
UT Administrations, District Magistrates, Labour Departments, Police authorities and other stakeholders to intensify the identification, rescue and rehabilitation of children engaged in child labour and those vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.
According to a press release, the NCPCR issued communications to the concerned authorities requesting intensified and targeted rescue operations at child labour and trafficking hotspots, including factories, brick kilns, construction sites, hotels/dhabas, workshops, markets, railway stations and other vulnerable locations.
States/UTs were also requested to furnish regular State-wise and District-wise data on rescue operations, children rescued, FIRs registered, rehabilitation, restoration, educational mainstreaming, compensation and other follow-up measures.
To monitor implementation and address field-level issues, the NCPCR conducted meetings with the District Administrations of 227 districts across the country.
The meetings focused on reviewing rescue operations, addressing operational bottlenecks, ensuring timely submission of ATRs and strengthening coordination among the concerned departments and agencies.
Where the requisite information was not received within the stipulated period, the NCPCR issued reminder communications to the concerned authorities.
The NCPCR also undertook awareness and outreach through social media and other communication platforms, disseminating information regarding the campaign, reporting of child labour and the importance of rehabilitation and educational mainstreaming following rescue. With sustained and proactive monitoring of above campaign, NCPCR, in collaboration with state authorities, successfully rescued over 3,800 children. Further, over 575 FIRs have been registered during the Campaign.
While most of the State Governments participated enthusiastically in the campaign, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of children rescued, with 1,480 children, followed by Rajasthan with 804 children and Gujarat with 630 children.
Bihar reported 183 children rescued, while Andhra Pradesh reported 147 children rescued.