Previous Year Question

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—UNCRC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989 and entered into force on 2 September 1990.

Under the Convention, every human being below 18 years is generally considered a child unless majority is attained earlier under the applicable law.

All three rights mentioned in the question—development, expression and recreation—are recognised by the UNCRC.

1. Right to development—Correct

Article 6 of the UNCRC recognises every child’s inherent right to life and requires states to ensure the child’s survival and development to the maximum extent possible.

Development is not confined to physical growth. It includes the child’s:

• Physical development;

• Mental and intellectual development;

• Emotional development;

• Social development;

• Moral and cultural development.

Article 27, concerning an adequate standard of living, and Article 28, concerning education, also support the child’s overall development.

2. Right to expression—Correct

Article 13 of the UNCRC guarantees the child’s freedom of expression.

It includes the freedom to:

• Seek information and ideas;

• Receive them;

• Impart them regardless of frontiers.

The child may express ideas orally, in writing, in print, through art or through any other medium of the child’s choice. Restrictions are permitted only when provided by law and necessary to protect the rights of others, national security, public order, public health or morals.

Article 12 also gives a child capable of forming views the right to express those views in matters affecting the child, with due weight being given according to age and maturity.

3. Right to recreation—Correct

Article 31 recognises the child’s rights to:

• Rest and leisure;

• Play and recreational activities;

• Participate in cultural life;

• Participate freely in the arts.

Recreation is not merely entertainment. Play and leisure contribute to physical health, creativity, social skills, emotional well-being and cognitive development.

All three rights are, therefore, recognised by the Convention.

Four general principles of the UNCRC

Four provisions are regarded as general principles for implementing the Convention:

1. Non-discrimination—Article 2

2. Best interests of the child—Article 3

3. Right to life, survival and development—Article 6

4. Respect for the views of the child—Article 12

Current position in India (2026)

India ratified the UNCRC on 11 December 1992. Major Indian laws implementing children’s rights include the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act.