Parliament Question: Child protection and juvenile justice reform

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3039 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 CHILD PROTECTION AND JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM

3039. SHRI UJJWAL DEORAO NIKAM:

DR. PARMAR JASHVANTSINH SALAMSINH:

SHRI KESRIDEVSINH JHALA:

SHRI RYAGA KRISHNAIAH:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government proposes to modernise Child Care Institutions with digital case management systems;

(b) if so, the steps taken thereof;

(c) whether adoption timelines under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) have reduced over the last five years;

(d) if so, the measurable outcomes thereof;

(e) whether data exists on rehabilitation outcomes of children exiting institutional care;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether awareness campaigns on child sexual abuse have been expanded in rural schools; and

(h) if so, the details of the campaigns thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the revamped Mission Vatsalya Portal which is an integrated Digital platform for all the stakeholders related to child protection services. Mission Vatsalya portal is a technologically upgraded secure portal which provides digital working platform for various stakeholders across different levels at State anddistrict. The earlier Khoya-Paya and TrackChild services have been brought under this unified portal.

The key features of Mission Vatsalya Portal include single digital platform for use by the Stakeholders i.e. State Child Protection Society, State Adoption Resource Agency at State level and District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, Special Juvenile Police Unit at District level and Child Care Institutions. The portal avoids duplication of work at grassroots level. It also ensures better monitoring through various MIS Dashboards and optimum utilization of resources for planning and implementation. The portal enables digital maintenance of individual child care plans, case histories, rehabilitation measures, and monitoring of services provided to children in CCIs and those receiving non-institutional care.

(c) & (d): The Government has simplified its policy pertaining to adoption under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Amendment Rules, 2022 and the Adoption Regulations, 2022.

The waiting period for adoption depends on factors such as the availability of children in the State, and the child’s age, category, gender and health condition. There is minimal waiting period for the adoption of children with special needs and children from immediate placement category (mostly older children).

To reduce delays and ensure transparency, CARA has digitized the entire adoption process through an online CARINGS portal, with regular monitoring and follow-ups with States and UTs.

This CARINGS portal has been integrated with unified Mission Vatsalya portal. An Identification Cell has also been set up since July 2024 to identify adoptable children in Child Care Institutions and expedite their declaration as legally free for adoption. The Adoption Regulations, 2022, under Schedule XIV read with Regulations 46 and 50, prescribe the timelines to be adhered to by the authorities and agencies involved in the adoption process.

(e) & (f): The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, provides for After Care of Children leaving the Institutional care vide Section 2(5) and section 46 which mandates that “Any child leaving a child care institution on completion of eighteen years of age may be

provided with financial support in order to facilitate child’s re-integration into the mainstream of the society in the manner as may be prescribed”.

Before the child attains 18 years, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), with the support of the Child Care Institution (CCI), reviews and updates the Individual Care Plan (ICP) and prepares an aftercare plan covering education, skill development, employment, housing, health care, and social reintegration. The CWC assesses the child’s readiness for independent living, family circumstances, and available support systems and then passes appropriate orders. On attaining 18 years, the child may be restored to the family or guardian if found fit and willing, or may be placed under aftercare support, which can be provided up to the age of 21 years and extended up to 23 years in exceptional cases with the approval of the CWC.

The data regarding children in institutional care, adopted children and those receiving non- institutional care (Sponsorship, Foster care and Aftercare) is maintained through the Mission Vatsalya Portal.(g) & (h): The Government undertakes awareness programmes on child protection and prevention of child sexual abuse across the country, including in rural areas. Awareness activities are carried out through community outreach, school-based programmes, and digital campaigns in coordination with State Governments and other stakeholders. These campaigns are aligned with the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and include sensitization programmes for children, teachers, parents and community members on child safety, reporting mechanisms, and available support services. Under Mission Vatsalya, States and Union Territories are also supported to conduct awareness and capacity-building programmes for strengthening child protection systems at the grassroots level.

Further, the Ministry organizes zonal conferences and sensitization/dissemination workshops under Mission Vatsalya Scheme to create awareness and strengthen implementation. ******