The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

[31st December, 2015.]

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to children alleged and found to be in conflict

with law and children in need of care and protection by catering to their basic needs through

proper care, protection, development, treatment, social re-integration, by adopting a

child-friendly approach in the adjudication and disposal of matters in the best interest of

children and for their rehabilitation through processes provided, and institutions and bodies

established, herein under and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

WHEREAS, the provisions of the Constitution confer powers and impose duties, under clause (3)

of article 15, clauses (e) and (f) of article 39, article 45 and article 47, on the State to ensure that all the

needs of children are met and that their basic human rights are fully protected;

AND WHEREAS, the Government of India has acceded on the 11th December, 1992 to the Convention

on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of United Nations, which has prescribed a

set of standards to be adhered to by all State parties in securing the best interest of the child;

AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to re-enact the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)

Act, 2000 (56 of 2000) to make comprehensive provisions for children alleged and found to be in conflict

with law and children in need of care and protection, taking into consideration the standards prescribed in

the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the

Administration of Juvenile Justice, 1985 (the Beijing Rules), the United Nations Rules for the Protection

of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (1990), the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and

Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption (1993), and other related international instruments.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—