While all children have equal rights, their situations are not uniform. At the same time, childhood and the range of children’s needs and rights are one whole, and must be addressed holistically. A life-cycle approach must be maintained. Keeping this in mind, there are several national laws and policies that address the different age-groups and categories of children.

2012: The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012

2012: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Notified Rules – 2012

2012: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act-2012

2009: The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009

2006: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (Amendment, 2006)

2006: Prohibition of Child Marriage Act

2002: The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act

2000: The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act

2000: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (2000)

2000: Information Technology Act

1996: Persons with Disabilities (Equal Protection of Rights and Full articipation) Act

1994: Transplantation of Human Organ Act

1992: Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act

1989: Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

1987: Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act

1986: Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act

1976: Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act

1974: National Policy for Children

1960: Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervision and Control) Act

1956: Probation of Offenders Act

1956: Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (amended in 1986)

1956: Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act

1948: Factories Act (Amended in 1949, 1950 and 1954)

1890: Guardians and Wards Act