Juvenile Justice Board: Powers, Composition and Functions in India

Introduction: The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is a statutory body established under India's juvenile justice framework to deal with children alleged to have committed offences, with an emphasis on child-sensitive procedures and rehabilitation.

Key pointers

  • Legal framework: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as amended.

  • Primary purpose: To ensure that children alleged to be in conflict with the law are dealt with through specialised procedures.

  • Composition: A Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate First Class with prescribed experience, along with two social workers, at least one of whom must be a woman.

  • Age criterion: The juvenile justice framework generally applies to persons below 18 years of age.

  • Terminology: A child alleged or found to have committed an offence is described in law as a child in conflict with law.

  • Child-friendly approach: Proceedings must account for the child's age, dignity, development and rehabilitation needs.

  • Rehabilitation: Orders may involve counselling, education, community-based measures and placement in appropriate facilities under the law.

  • Heinous offences: The Act contains a special preliminary-assessment process for children aged 16–18 alleged to have committed heinous offences.

  • Important safeguard: Preliminary assessment is not itself a trial or a determination of guilt.

UPSC focus: Distinguish the Juvenile Justice Board, which deals with children in conflict with law, from the Child Welfare Committee, which deals with children in need of care and protection.