Question

Which provision of Indian Constitution prohibits child labor below the age of 14 years in factories?

• A. Article 19
• B. Article 21
• C. Article 23
• D. Article 24

Hint:

Article 24 strictly prohibits employment of children below 14 in hazardous jobs like factories and mines. Think of it as “24 = no kids at the factory door.”

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Article 24 of the Constitution of India falls under the Fundamental Rights category and specifically addresses the protection of children. It states:

“No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.”

This provision is a key safeguard for children, aiming to ensure that their childhood is not exploited through labor in hazardous sectors. Although it does not ban all forms of child labor, it strictly prohibits employment in environments that could pose a serious threat to their health and development, such as factories, mines, and similar dangerous occupations.

This Article is complemented by laws like:

• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (which is tied to Article 21A)

Thus, Article 24 plays a crucial role in the broader legal framework protecting children's rights in India.