Juvenile Justice In India: Legal Framework, Rehabilitation, And The Evolving Paradigm Of Child Rights

India’s juvenile justice system reflects its evolving understanding of childhood, criminal responsibility, and child rights.After the enactment of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, India attempted to bridge the gap between reformative justice and societal concerns about serious juvenile crimes. This paper explores the historical development, legal framework, and guiding principles of the Indian juvenile justice regime. It critically analyses the controversial provision allowing juveniles aged 16 to 18 to be tried as adults in heinous offenses, weighing it against international conventions such as the UNCRC and the Beijing Rules. Further, the paper investigates the Psychological and socio-economic factors contributing to juvenile delinquency and reviews landmark judicial interpretations shaping juvenile jurisprudence in India. Emphasis is placed on the challenges faced in implementation ranging from infrastructural deficits and lack of trained personnel to the social reintegration of reformed juveniles. The paper argues for a rights-based, restorative justice approach, calling for legal reforms, institutional strengthening and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Ultimately, it advocates a model that safeguards the best interests of the child while addressing the imperatives of justice, public trust, and long-term rehabilitation for them.