What is the legal working age for a child?

MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Forensic Nursing & Indian laws (E5)

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, defines a 'child' as anyone who has not completed their 14th year of age.
The Act completely prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in any occupation, making the legal age to begin work greater than 14 years.
This law is synchronized with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which ensures education for children up to the age of 14.
Adolescents, defined as those between 14 and 18 years, are permitted to work but are restricted from hazardous occupations.

Option A: Employing a child older than 10 but younger than 14 is illegal in India. The law sets the minimum age for any form of employment at 14 years.
Option B: This option suggests work is permissible for those under 12. This is incorrect, as the law explicitly prohibits work for anyone under the age of 14.
Option D: While it is legal for a person older than 16 to work, this is not the minimum legal working age. The question asks for the threshold, which is 14 years.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Child Labour Laws in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A community health nurse plays a vital role in identifying and reporting child labor to authorities like Childline (1098), ensuring the child's right to safety, health, and education are protected.
Nurses can counsel families on the long-term health consequences of child labor, including malnutrition, physical injuries from hazardous work, and mental health issues, while advocating for schooling.
What if a nurse finds a 15-year-old working in a non-hazardous job? The nurse should still assess the situation to ensure the work is not interfering with the adolescent's education and that working conditions are safe and comply with the regulated hours for their age group.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core question: It asks for the legal minimum working age for a child in India.
Recall relevant legislation: The key law is the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
Remember the key age threshold defined in the Act. The law prohibits employment for anyone who has not completed 14 years of age.
Evaluate the options based on this legal fact. The option '>14 year' directly corresponds to the law's stipulation.
Eliminate other options: <14 is illegal, and >16 is not the minimum age, making >14 the most accurate answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Child Labour Laws in India
Stem keywords: legal working age, child
Lead-in keywords: What is
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

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