The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body established under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development. The institution was constituted in March 2007 under Section 3 of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, an Act of Parliament passed in December 2005. The NCPCR was created to ensure that all laws, policies, and administrative mechanisms align with the child rights perspective enshrined in the Constitution of India and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, defining a child as a person in the 0 to 18 years age group.
The mechanism of the NCPCR is primarily defined by Section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005, which mandates it to examine and review safeguards for child rights, inquire into violations, and inspect institutions where children are detained or reside. For the purpose of conducting an inquiry, Section 14 of the Act vests the Commission with the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, including the power to summon and enforce the attendance of any person and require the discovery and production of documents.
The NCPCR is connected to the State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs), which are established at the state level under Section 17 of the CPCR Act, 2005, to perform parallel functions. The Commission is also specifically mandated to monitor the implementation of key legislation, including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The core structure and mandate of the NCPCR, as established by the CPCR Act, 2005, have remained consistent, with its role expanding to monitor the implementation of subsequent child-specific laws.