Child Rights for 3-6 Year Olds in India

Empowering India's Youngest: Ensuring Child Rights for Ages 3–6

Introduction

Child rights are universal entitlements designed to protect the dignity, safety, and holistic development of every child. In India, where children under 6 constitute 13.59% of the population, the ages of 3 to 6 are particularly crucial due to rapid brain development, with 90% of neurological growth occurring before age 5 (World Health Organization, 2020, p. 10). The Indian Constitution, through Articles 45 and 47, alongside India’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992, establishes a legal foundation for ensuring early childhood care, education, health, and protection (United Nations, 1989; HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, 2015). Key policies, including the NECCEP 2013 and the ICDS scheme launched in 1975, emphasize early childhood care and education (ECCE) for 3- to 6-year-olds (Government of India, 2013). However, systemic challenges such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and gender disparities hinder the realization of these rights. This article explores the significance of child rights in early childhood in India, examines major barriers, and offers actionable recommendations to strengthen their implementation, ensuring alignment with national policies and government initiatives.

Importance of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in India

Early childhood development (ECD) encompasses physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth from birth to age 8, with the 3–6 age range being a transformative period. In India, where 73% of children live in rural areas with limited access to resources, this phase is critical for establishing cognitive and emotional foundations (Humanium, 2011). The World Health Organization highlights that early interventions in education and health can enhance learning capacity and emotional stability, with quality ECE increasing high school graduation rates by 30% and reducing criminal behavior by 20% (NIEER, 2018, p. 15; WHO, 2020, p. 10). India’s NECCEP 2013 and the National Curriculum Framework for ECCE 2024 emphasize play-based learning to nurture these abilities (Government of India, 2013; Irani, 2024). With 16.45 crore children aged 0–6, investing in ECD aligns with India’s demographic dividend, fostering future human capital. Neglecting these rights risks developmental delays, perpetuating poverty, and inequality in a diverse socio-economic landscape.

Right to Education in India

The right to education for 3- to 6-year-olds is enshrined in Article 45 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates early childhood care and education, and is supported by the NECCEP 2013 and the ICDS scheme, which serves 8.4 crore children through 1.4 million Anganwadi centers (HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, 2015; Government of India, 2019). The RTE Act, 2009, while primarily for ages 6–14, supports preparatory ECE through Anganwadi centers (Legaleye, 2021). ECE fosters cognitive skills, language development, and socialization, with research showing improved academic and social outcomes (NIEER, 2018, p. 15). However, only 22% of rural children aged 3–6 attend preschool, compared to 34% in urban areas, due to infrastructure gaps, untrained teachers, and low parental awareness (UNICEF, 2019, p. 25). Only 50% of Anganwadi centers meet quality standards, and socio-economic disparities further limit access, particularly for marginalized communities (Government of India, 2013; OECD, 2019, p. 22). Addressing these gaps is critical for equitable education access.

Right to Health in India

The right to health, supported by Article 47 of the Constitution and the National Health Policy 2017, ensures access to medical services, nutrition, and clean water for young children (HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, 2015). The ICDS and Poshan Abhiyaan 2018 provide nutritional support and health services, critical for physical and cognitive development (Government of India, 2019). Malnutrition affects 38% of children under 5, impairing growth and cognition, while only 62% of children aged 12–23 months are fully vaccinated under the Universal Immunization Programme (UNICEF, 2021, p. 10; NFHS, 2019–21, p. 67). The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare, with 23 million children missing vaccinations in 2020 (UNICEF, 2020, p. 5). Rural healthcare centers, with only 28% adequately staffed, and cultural practices limiting nutritional access, exacerbate these challenges, with 59% of children aged 6–23 months suffering from anemia (MOHFW, 2019, p. 30; Government of India, 2019). Strengthening of health systems is essential for child development.

Right to Protection in India

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, protect children from abuse and exploitation, with oversight by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) established in 2007 (UNICEF, 2022; NCPCR, 2025). A safe environment is vital for emotional and psychological health, as exposure to violence causes lasting trauma (Felitti et al., 1998, p. 250). However, 31 million children are engaged in child labor, many as young as 5, and 93% of sexual abuse cases under POCSO involve known perpetrators (Wikipedia, 2020; iPleaders, 2021). Cultural acceptance of corporal punishment affects 60% of children, and weak enforcement mechanisms hinder protection efforts (UNICEF, 2017, p. 14). Robust implementation of these laws is crucial to safeguard young children.

Systemic Barriers to Child Rights in India

Systemic obstacles significantly impede child rights for 3- to 6-year-olds in India. Poverty affects 29% of children aged 0–6, restricting access to education, healthcare, and safe environments (Humanium, 2011). The COVID-19 pandemic pushed 150 million more children into poverty, intensifying vulnerabilities (World Bank, 2020, p. 20). Inadequate infrastructure, with only 50% of Anganwadi centers having adequate facilities and 28% of rural healthcare centers properly staffed, limits service delivery (Government of India, 2013; MOHFW, 2019, p. 30). Cultural norms and gender biases exclude girls, with 2.5 times higher likelihood of missing preschool in rural areas, and 1 in 4 girls aged 20–24 facing early marriage (UNESCO, 2019, p. 18; UNICEF, 2022). Policy implementation gaps, with only 0.4% of GDP allocated to ECCE and limited NCPCR resources, hinder progress (UNICEF, 2019, p. 25; NCPCR, 2025). Addressing these barriers requires coordinated efforts.

Roles of Stakeholders in India

Fulfilling child rights involves multiple stakeholders. Parents, as primary caregivers, ensure access to health, education, and safety, supported by programs like Poshan Abhiyaan and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Government of India, 2019). Anganwadi workers and preschool teachers shape early learning, with the National Curriculum for ECCE 2024 and NEP 2020 emphasizing play-based pedagogies and teacher training (Irani, 2024; Swaraj, 2020). The Ministry of Women and Child Development oversees ICDS and Poshan Abhiyaan, while state governments implement ECCE programs (Government of India, 2019). NGOs like Smile Foundation enroll 200,000 children in schools, bridging gaps in government services, particularly in remote areas (Smile Foundation, 2021). Collaborative efforts are essential for effective implementation.

Transforming Early Childhood Care and Education in India for Universal Access

NEP 2020 aims for universal ECCE by 2035, targeting 40–45 million children aged 3–6. To bridge teacher gaps (1.5–2 million) and infrastructure needs, a phased plan proposes training 500,000 teachers by 2027, digital upskilling, and PPPs. The roadmap enhances governance and enrollment (95–100% by 2035), ensuring school readiness and lifelong learning.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in India

ECCE in India, crucial for ages 3–6, is emphasized in NEP 2020 for universal pre-primary education by 2030. Around 30 institutions (e.g., IGNOU) train 30,000–40,000 annually, while 1,000 ICDS centers prepare 100,000 Anganwadi workers. Challenges include budget cuts, low wages, and rural-urban gaps. Solutions proposed: digital training, increased funding, and policy alignment.

Recommendations for Enhancing Child Rights in India

To address these challenges, the following recommendations integrate evidence-based strategies and innovative approaches to strengthen child rights for 3- to 6-year-olds in India:

• Increase funding for ECCE to at least 1% of GDP, as recommended by NECCEP, to improve Anganwadi infrastructure and teacher training, drawing from Ghana’s 20% education budget increase that expanded preschool access (Government of India, 2013; Government of Ghana, 2020, p. 40). Public-private partnerships can fund community-based ECCE centers for sustainability.

• Strengthening enforcement of the JJ Act, 2015, and POCSO Act, 2012, through fast-track courts and NCPCR oversight, with district-level child protection task forces to ensure rapid response (UNICEF, 2022; NCPCR, 2025).

• Make preschool compulsory and free under the RTE Act framework, with mobile preschool units for rural and tribal areas, inspired by Mexico’s 15% enrollment increase (SEP 2020, p. 12).

• Launch nationwide campaigns via media and Anganwadi centers to raise parental awareness, supported by a multilingual mobile app, building on the success of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Government of India, 2019, p. 15).

• Bolster ICDS and Poshan Abhiyaan with annual “Child Health Days” for free check-ups and vaccines, mirroring Rwanda’s 93% immunization rate (Rwanda, 2021, p. 20).

• Promote gender equity through programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and train community leaders to challenge biases, as seen in Bangladesh’s 12% girls’ enrollment increase (World Bank, 2018, p. 25).

• Establish a national dashboard under NCPCR for real-time child rights data, enhancing transparency, similar to the Global Partnership for Education’s monitoring system (GPE, 2021, p. 8).

Conclusion

Children aged 3 to 6 in India are at a critical developmental stage where access to education, health, and protection shapes their future and the nation’s growth. Constitutional provisions, the JJ Act, POCSO Act, and policies like NECCEP and ICDS provide a strong framework, but poverty, infrastructure gaps, and cultural biases persist. The proposed recommendations offer practical pathways to enhance funding, enforcement, access, and awareness, ensuring every child thrives and contributing to India’s long-term development.

References

• Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., ... Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.

• Government of Ghana. (2020). Education sector medium-term development plan 2018–2021. Ministry of Education.

• Government of India. (2013). National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy. Ministry of Women and Child Development.

• Government of India. (2019). Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Annual report 2018–19. Ministry of Women and Child Development.

• HAQ: Centre for Child Rights.