Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (Not more than 200 words)

India's National Policy for Children, 2013 recognises every person below eighteen as a child and adopts a rights-based, life-cycle approach. It treats children as rights-holders and places the best interests of the child at the centre of policy.

Main provisions

• Priorities include survival, health, nutrition, development, education, protection and participation.
• It seeks universal birth registration, early childhood care, quality education, protection from violence, abuse, exploitation, trafficking and harmful work.
• The policy emphasises non-discrimination, family and community support, child-sensitive justice and convergence among departments.
• Children with disabilities, those in difficult circumstances and other vulnerable groups require targeted protection without exclusion.

Implementation status and gaps

• Schooling, immunisation, nutrition programmes, child protection institutions and legal safeguards have expanded the policy framework.
• However, malnutrition, learning deficits, child labour, violence, institutional-care weaknesses, unsafe migration and uneven service quality remain concerns.
• Implementation is constrained by fragmented accountability, variable state capacity, inadequate staffing and weak monitoring.
• Stronger local systems, child budgets, outcome indicators, trained personnel, independent complaints mechanisms and meaningful child participation are required.

Keywords: National Policy for Children 2013; child rights; best interests; child protection; convergence; child budgeting.