The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, and the draft Assam Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2026, in a significant move to bolster child safety and welfare mechanisms across the state. The decisions were part of a broader package of measures addressing child protection, labour reforms, and youth affairs.

These newly approved frameworks aim to establish a uniform, state-wide protection protocol for children in both public and private care institutions, while ensuring the more effective implementation of existing national legislation such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Rules, 2020. The measures seek to provide a structured approach to addressing issues concerning children in need of care and protection, as well as those in conflict with the law.

What was announced

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the cabinet’s decisions after a meeting held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The Chief Minister stated that the approval of the Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, followed specific directives from the Supreme Court and the Gauhati High Court, which had called for the state to establish a comprehensive child protection framework.

In addition to the policy, the cabinet also gave its assent to the draft Assam Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2026. These rules are designed to facilitate a more robust implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the POCSO Rules, 2020, across Assam.

Chief Minister Sarma emphasised that the new measures would strengthen the implementation of existing laws, bringing greater clarity and efficiency to the state’s administrative and child protection systems. He further elaborated that the policy would help establish a uniform, state-wide protection protocol across public and private entities involved in child care.

Why it matters

The approval of the new policy and rules is expected to significantly enhance the safety, security, dignity, and well-being of children throughout Assam. The measures introduce stringent safeguards and regulatory standards for recognised child care institutions (CCIs) across the state. These include mandatory provisions for the appointment of Child Safeguard Officers, the installation of CCTV cameras, adherence to a strict code of conduct, and the prominent display of relevant information and guidelines within these institutions.

Furthermore, the new Juvenile Justice Rules will establish clearer procedures for handling various cases involving children. This includes protocols for the immediate filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) in instances of missing children, enhanced functioning of anti-human trafficking units, the structured constitution of selection committees, and greater involvement of social workers in child-related matters. The rules also aim to foster the creation of child-friendly environments within the justice system.

According to Chief Minister Sarma, these provisions are intended to strengthen Assam’s child protection and juvenile justice mechanisms, ensuring that children requiring care and protection, as well as those in conflict with the law, receive appropriate support in a safe and child-friendly environment.

Background

The impetus for these comprehensive reforms stems from persistent challenges in child protection within Assam and directives from higher courts. The Supreme Court and the Gauhati High Court had previously instructed the state to develop a robust child protection framework. In November 2024, the Assam government had informed the Gauhati High Court of its intention to finalise its Child Protection Policy and Juvenile Justice Rules by the end of that year, addressing concerns regarding delays and incomplete Juvenile Justice Boards in various districts.

Assam has historically grappled with significant issues concerning child safety and welfare. In 2021, the state recorded the 13th highest number of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the country, with nearly two thousand minor girls reported as victims. A report from 2015 by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicated that Assam had emerged as a trafficking hub, accounting for 22 per cent of total reported trafficking cases across India, with 1,317 child trafficking cases representing 38 per cent of the national figure. Child labour and sexual exploitation were identified as major factors for child trafficking, with a report from Assam’s Crime Investigation Department in October 2017 noting that at least 4,754 children had gone missing in Assam since 2012, including 2,753 girls.

Child marriage has also been a pervasive social issue in many districts. However, concerted efforts by the Assam government, including legal actions and a zero-tolerance approach, have shown positive results. An India Child Protection (ICP) report in July 2024 revealed an 81 per cent reduction in child marriage cases across 20 districts of Assam between 2021-22 and 2023-24. Over three thousand arrests were made in connection with these offences.

Furthermore, a UNICEF-NSS study in November 2022 highlighted that an estimated 95 per cent of youth in Assam have experienced mental health issues due to cyberbullying and corporal punishment. The study found that 35 per cent of young people experienced corporal punishment at home, 25 per cent at school, and 14 per cent in other settings such as private tuitions and sports grounds.

Previous initiatives undertaken by the state government to address these challenges include the Assam Police Sishu Mitra Programme, launched in 2019 in collaboration with UTSAH Child Rights Organisation and UNICEF. This programme aims to promote child-friendly policing and strengthen institutional responses to child protection. The state also implements Mission Vatsalya, a centrally sponsored scheme focused on child protection and rehabilitation, which operates under the framework of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the POCSO Act, 2012.

Despite these efforts, a “policy-practice gap” in child rights protection has been identified in Assam, underscoring the necessity for systematic mechanisms to monitor, evaluate, and adjust policies based on their real-world impact. The newly approved policy and rules are designed to bridge this gap and provide a more structured and effective framework for child protection.

Key details

The Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, and the draft Assam Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2026, introduce several concrete measures aimed at standardising and improving child protection services. For recognised child care institutions (CCIs), the policy mandates the appointment of Child Safeguard Officers to oversee child protection protocols. It also requires the installation of CCTV cameras within these facilities to enhance safety and transparency.

All CCIs will be required to adhere to a strict code of conduct and ensure the mandatory display of relevant information and guidelines for children, staff, and visitors. The Juvenile Justice Rules will streamline procedures for various critical situations, including the prompt registration of FIRs for missing children and the improved functioning of anti-human trafficking units.

The rules also provide for the constitution of selection committees and greater involvement of social workers in cases involving children. A key focus is on creating child-friendly environments within legal and care settings, ensuring that children are not further traumatised during interactions with the system. These provisions are intended to provide a more structured framework for addressing the needs of children requiring care and protection and those in conflict with the law, strengthening mechanisms for their care, protection, and rehabilitation.

What’s next

With the Assam Cabinet’s approval, the Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, and the draft Assam Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2026, are now set for formal notification and implementation. The next steps will involve the detailed rollout of these policies and rules across the state, with a focus on establishing the new safeguards and regulatory standards for child care institutions.

Authorities will work towards integrating the clearer procedures outlined in the Juvenile Justice Rules into the daily operations of child protection units, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary. This includes training personnel on the new protocols for handling cases involving missing children, anti-human trafficking efforts, and ensuring child-friendly environments. The government’s objective is to ensure that all provisions are effectively implemented to provide comprehensive support and protection for children across Assam.

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