Article 24: Constitution of India 

Article 24: Constitution of India 

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Article 24: Prohibition of Employment of Children in Factories, etc.

⚖️ Bare Act Text

“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.”

📜 Footnotes

1. Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupations.
2. Strengthened by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, later amended in 2016.
3. Complements Article 21A (Right to Education) ensuring children are in school, not labour.
4. Hazardous occupations include factories, mines, and dangerous industries notified by law.

🧾 Simple Explanation

Article 24 protects children by:

• Banning their employment in dangerous and harmful jobs
• Ensuring their safety, health, and development
• Supporting their right to education and childhood

It focuses specifically on hazardous work, not all types of work.

📌 Key Features

• Applies to children below 14 years
• Covers hazardous employment only
• Aims to prevent exploitation and abuse
• Works alongside education laws like Article 21A
• Enforceable as a Fundamental Right

⚖️ Important Case Laws

1. M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu

• Supreme Court issued directions to eliminate child labour
• Ordered rehabilitation and education of affected children

2. Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India

• Highlighted exploitation of children in bonded labour

3. People’s Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India

• Reinforced protection against labour exploitation, including children

🧠 Illustrations

• Employing a 12-year-old in a factory → ❌ Violation
• Child working in a coal mine → ❌ Violation
• Child engaged in hazardous chemical industry → ❌ Violation
• Helping parents in non-hazardous work → ✔️ May be allowed (subject to law)

📚 Practical Notes

• Article 24 targets hazardous child labour only
• Non-hazardous work is regulated, not completely banned
• Strong link with Right to Education (Article 21A)
• Important for social justice and welfare jurisprudence
• Frequently asked in UPSC, Judiciary, CLAT

❓ FAQs

Q. Does Article 24 ban all child labour?
❌ No — only hazardous employment is prohibited

Q. What is the age limit under Article 24?
✔️ Below 14 years

Q. Can children help in family work?
✔️ Yes, if not hazardous and subject to legal conditions

Q. Is violation punishable?
✔️ Yes — under relevant labour laws

💬 Comments / Legal Insight

Article 24 reflects the constitutional commitment to protect childhood and human dignity.
It works in harmony with Article 21A and labour laws to ensure that children are educated, safe, and free from exploitation.

The provision is crucial in:

• Breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy
• Promoting human development
• Ensuring a healthy future workforce

Article 24: Constitution of India 

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