Centre for Child Rights, NUSRL

India has one of the largest child populations in the world. According to demographic estimates, there are approximately 472 million children below 18 years of age in India, constituting about 39 percent of the country’s total population. This significant demographic share underscores both the opportunity and responsibility to protect and promote children’s rights and well-being.

In the state of Jharkhand, child protection continues to be a key priority for the Government due to multiple and interlinked vulnerabilities affecting children. Issues such as child trafficking, child labour, child marriage, sexual abuse, neglect, violence, school dropouts, and emerging mental health and psychosocial concerns remain significant challenges. Factors such as poverty, migration, family disruption, substance abuse, and exposure to violence have a direct impact on children’s emotional well-being, behaviour, and development. Evidence from child protection and welfare systems indicates that children from socio-economically disadvantaged communities, tribal populations, children with disabilities, migrant families, and hard to reach areas are particularly vulnerable. These realities underscore the need for a comprehensive child protection framework that integrates mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) with preventive, protective, and rehabilitative interventions, supported by strong institutional coordination and well-capacitated frontline functionaries.

Recognising this need, the Center for Child Rights (CCR) was established in 2017 at the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, as a specialised academic and technical resource Center for child protection and child rights. The Center was set up in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to function as a knowledge hub and capacity-building platform for the State.

The Center supports the Department in strengthening child protection systems through structured training programmes, development of training modules and IEC materials, research and documentation, and on-site technical handholding. CCR plays a strategic role in enhancing the capacities of government officials, police personnel, judicial officers, social workers, and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of child protection laws and schemes.

By operating at the interface of law, policy, and practice, CCR contributes to evidence-based decision-making, improved coordination among departments, and promotion of child-friendly governance in Jharkhand. Through its sustained engagement with the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security and district-level institutions, the Center seeks to institutionalise best practices, strengthen accountability, and ensure that the rights, dignity, and best interests of every child are effectively protected.