Between Education and Exploitation: Socio-economic Determinants of Child Labour in Contemporary India

Pole Laxman

Between Education and Exploitation: Socio-economic Determinants of Child Labour in Contemporary India

Author(s)	Dr. Pole Laxman
Country	India
Abstract	Child labour remains one of the most persistent socio-economic challenges in contemporary India, despite constitutional safeguards and policy interventions aimed at universal education and child welfare. This study critically examines the structural relationship between educational inequality and child labour, focusing on how socio-economic determinants such as poverty, caste, regional disparity, and access to schooling shape children’s transitions between classrooms and labour markets. Drawing on recent datasets including the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER, 2023) and Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+, 2023–24), the paper highlights that while enrollment rates have improved significantly, dropout rates and poor learning outcomes continue to push vulnerable children into labour. India accounts for approximately 10.1 million child labourers aged 5–14 years (Census of India, 2011), with a substantial concentration in rural and informal sectors. The study argues that child labour is not merely a function of poverty but is deeply embedded in systemic educational failures, including inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and the privatization of schooling, which excludes economically weaker sections. Basu and Van (1998) emphasize that households often treat child labour as an economic necessity, especially when the perceived returns from education are low (p. 416). The paper further explores how social stratification particularly caste and gender intensifies vulnerability to child labour. Marginalized communities face compounded disadvantages, including limited access to quality education and increased exposure to exploitative labour conditions. The analysis underscores the need for an integrated policy approach that combines educational reform with socio-economic support mechanisms. The study concludes that bridging the gap between education and labour requires strengthening public education systems, ensuring equitable access, and addressing structural inequalities. Only through such comprehensive interventions can India move towards eliminating child labour and achieving inclusive development.
Keywords	Child Labour in India, Educational Inequality, Socio-Economic Determinants, Poverty and School Dropout, Public vs Private Education, Social Stratification
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-05-19

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Between Education and Exploitation: Socio-economic Determinants of Child Labour in Contemporary India

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