Gujarat Child Protection Policy 2026: Key Features Explained

The Gujarat State Child Protection Policy 2026 is being introduced to provide additional protection to children and create a safe, dignified and rights-based childhood for all. The policy seeks to protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and discrimination while providing them with education, healthcare and holistic development. This policy also ensures greater voice for children. The framework lays down certain responsibilities on institutions working directly with children and measures to be taken in schools, healthcare, care institutions, workplaces, public areas and cyber world.

What Is Gujarat Child Protection Policy 2026?

The policy strives to create a conducive environment in which children can grow up and become what they are destined to become without any discrimination at all.

The policy is built on a philosophy of zero tolerance towards child abuse and exploitation and seeks to create stronger child protection systems in various contexts. The policy also ensures that children get equal access to child protection services regardless of religion, caste, gender, socio-economic status, culture and political affiliation and geographical location.

The policy proposed by the Gujarat state was similar in providing a rights-based framework for government and non-government departments, statutory bodies, NGOs, institutions, and individuals interacting with children.

Training and Code of Conduct for Institutions

Institutions which come into direct contact with children shall provide training to its employees on issues related to rights of children, POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act as well as other laws as may be required.

A code of conduct will be prescribed for institutions and its employees, and it will be strict in dealing with issues like,

• Humiliating and harassing
• Discriminating behavior
• Sexual misconduct
• Any other behavior that affects the safety of children

The non-compliance with the policy will result in actions being taken against the institution/individual concerned.

The POCSO Act already has provisions to safeguard the children under 18 years from sexual offenses, including mandatory reporting and child friendly procedures.

Vulnerable Children

The policy is particularly focused on those children whose needs for protection may be greater than the average. They include the children,

• Need for care and protection
• In conflict with law
• With disabilities
• Migrants or orphaned children
• From Scheduled Castes/Tribes
• From disadvantaged communities
• Human trafficking victims
• Children living on the streets
• Children in institutions or in alternative care

Child Safety on Digital Platforms

Child safety on digital platforms is yet another critical component of the policy. The policy aims at enhancing protection from various risks associated with internet, social media and technology.

This strategy fits in well with existing child protection structures in the country. The government officials have recognized online child sexual abuse and exploitation as a critical challenge that requires joint efforts from child protection, law enforcement and digital technology domains.

Why Is This Policy Relevant?

The present policy incorporates child safety, rights, development and institutional accountability under one umbrella of the state-level policy.

In addition to this, the approach of this policy matches with India’s larger child protection system. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 offers statutory structures such as Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board and District Child Protection Unit for children in need of care and protection.