The Indian legal system places a significant emphasis on protecting the rights and welfare of children. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, is a vital piece of legislation in this regard. It is designed to ensure that children in conflict with the law receive special care, protection, and treatment, with the ultimate goal of their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
One of the key provisions of the Act is the establishment of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) at the district level. These boards consist of a Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate of the first class and two social workers, at least one of whom should be a woman. The primary function of the JJB is to determine the age of the juvenile, the circumstances in which the offense was committed, and whether the juvenile should be sent to a special home or released on probation.
The Act makes a clear distinction between a “child in conflict with the law” and a “child in need of care and protection.” A child in conflict with the law is one who has committed an offense, while a child in need of care and protection is a child who is vulnerable or at risk and requires special care and support.
The Act introduces a unique approach to dealing with children who are in conflict with the law. For children between the ages of 16 and 18, who have committed heinous offenses, they can be tried as adults, subject to a preliminary assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board. This assessment considers the child’s mental and physical capacity to commit such an offense. If the board determines that the child should be tried as an adult, the case is transferred to the regular criminal courts.
The Act also places restrictions on the publication of information that could lead to the identification of a juvenile offender. This is done to protect the privacy and future prospects of the child.
What is the distinction between a ”child in conflict with the law” and a ”child in need of care and protection”?
Correct Answer :
A ”child in conflict with the law” has committed a crime, while a ”child in need of care and protection” is vulnerable or at risk.
Solution :
Correct Answer: A ”child in conflict with the law” has committed a crime, while a ”child in need of care and protection” is vulnerable or at risk.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Analyze the Passage:
The provided text explains the key concepts of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Specifically, the third paragraph states:
"A child in conflict with the law is one who has committed an offense, while a child in need of care and protection is a child who is vulnerable or at risk and requires special care and support."
2. Evaluate the Options:
• Option 1: There is no distinction; both terms mean the same thing. — Incorrect, as the passage explicitly defines the clear distinction between the two terms.
• Option 2: A ”child in conflict with the law” has committed a crime, while a ”child in need of care and protection” is vulnerable or at risk. — Correct, this directly matches the passage's definitions.
• Option 3: A ”child in need of care and protection” is more likely to commit crimes. — Incorrect, the text does not state or imply this probability.
• Option 4: A ”child in conflict with the law” is an adolescent offender. — Incorrect, while some juvenile offenders may be adolescents, the defining legal distinction is that a child in conflict with the law has committed an offense/crime.
3. Conclusion:
Thus, the correct option accurately defining the distinction is that a child in conflict with the law has committed a crime, whereas a child in need of care and protection is vulnerable or at risk.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Mindyard. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Mindyard. All Rights Reserved.
