National Child Labour Project (NCLP)

What this scheme offers

A child found working in hazardous conditions can't simply be removed from that labour and dropped straight into a regular school — years of missed schooling, combined with whatever brought the family to that point economically, mean they need a genuine bridge, not just a rescue. NCLP provides exactly that: Special Training Centres that give rescued and vulnerable children bridge education to catch up academically, a modest monthly stipend to help offset what the family may have depended on from the child's earnings, along with nutrition support, health check-ups and vocational training, before the child is formally mainstreamed into a regular school at an age-appropriate level. This isn't primarily a scheme families apply for directly — most children enter NCLP through rescue operations, labour inspections, or referral by local authorities, though families can also approach a centre if a child is at clear risk of being pushed into labour.

Who is eligible

• Children rescued from hazardous labour or found working in violation of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986, generally up to age 14 (up to 18 for hazardous occupations under later amendments).
• Children from families at high risk of child labour (extreme poverty, migrant labour families, etc.) in NCLP's identified project districts.
• No separate income test — vulnerability and labour-risk status are the primary criteria.

Documents required

• Aadhaar card, where available (not a barrier to entry for a rescued child)
• Rescue/labour inspection documentation, where the child was formally rescued
• Family details, for case management and reintegration planning

How to apply

1. Children identified through labour inspections, police rescue operations, or child welfare committee referrals are enrolled directly into the nearest NCLP Special Training Centre.
2. If you're aware of a child in hazardous labour, report it to the Child Labour helpline, local police, or the district Child Welfare Committee, which can trigger a rescue and NCLP enrollment.
3. Families genuinely at risk of sending a child into labour can approach their district's NCLP project office directly to discuss enrollment as a preventive measure.
4. Once enrolled, the child attends the NCLP Special Training Centre for bridge education, receiving the monthly stipend, meals, and health check-ups through the centre.
5. After the bridge period (typically assessed case by case), the child is formally mainstreamed into a regular government school at an appropriate class level, with the NCLP centre coordinating the transition.