Part III
Article 24

Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.

No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.

Version 1

Article 18, Draft Constitution of India 1948

No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.

Version 2

Article 24, Constitution of India 1950

No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.

Summary

Draft Article 18 (Article 24) was debated on 3 December 1948.

One member moved an amendment to protect women from being employed ‘at night, in mines or in industries detrimental to their health’. This was supported by a member who pointed out that similar protections existed in all progressive countries. However, the Assembly rejected the amendment.

The Draft Article was adopted on the same day, that is 3 December 1948.