'Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse': Gujarat Enforces Landmark State Child Protection Policy 2026

The Gujarat government has officially notified the 'Gujarat State Child Protection Policy 2026', establishing a zero-tolerance approach towards child abuse, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination.

Issued through a gazette notification by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department under Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja and Minister of State Dr Manisha Vakil, the policy comes into effect immediately. The comprehensive blueprint draws upon frameworks including the POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Child Marriage Prohibition Act, child labour laws, and national safety guidelines in a mandate that spans physical and digital spaces.

Zero Tolerance Across Schools, Hospitals, and Digital Platforms

The policy strictly bans discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, socio-economic status, or disability. Crucially, child safety is no longer confined to a single government department—it mandates compliance from local bodies, NGOs, civil society, businesses, media, religious bodies, and child care institutions.

• Digital Protection: Establishes measures to shield children from cyber risks across social media platforms, the internet, and emerging digital technologies.
• Safe Environments: Mandates child-safe standards across schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces, public spaces, and institutional care settings.
• Vulnerable Coverage: Prioritises children needing special care, including orphans, street children, victims of trafficking, child labourers, SC/ST communities, transgender and intersex youth, and children affected by disasters or HIV/AIDS.
• Mandatory Reporting: Teachers, medical professionals, and care personnel must immediately report any suspected abuse, exploitation, child marriage, or trafficking to the Child Helpline (1098/112), police, or Child Welfare Committees. Whistleblower identities will remain strictly confidential.
• Background Verifications: Requires mandatory training on child rights and strict background verification—including police checks—for all permanent, contractual, and volunteer staff handling children.
• Crèche Mandate: Requires all establishments employing 50 or more workers to provide crèche or mobile crèche facilities, alongside safe infant-care zones in public spaces.

Accountability, Departmental Mandates, and Annual Review

Failure to report suspected child abuse or non-compliance with the established code of conduct will draw severe administrative, disciplinary, and legal penalties under applicable service rules and statutory provisions.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Department will act as the nodal coordinator, requiring every government department to publish a dedicated annual implementation plan and operational guidelines within one year. The Gujarat State Child Protection Society will oversee ground execution, while the Chief Secretary of Gujarat will head the annual policy review. Comprehensive evaluations will occur every three years to measure progress.