Thu Nov 20 17:55:10 UTC 2025: Summary:

A recent study, the Child Rights Index in Karnataka-2023, reveals Karnataka’s moderate performance in realizing child rights and well-being, ranking it 10th among 30 states in India. The index, calculated across six dimensions (Right to Life, Enabling Environment, Nutrition, Protection, Education, and Participation), highlights significant disparities between districts. While the “Right to Life Index” shows less variation, districts differ greatly in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Under-5 Mortality, and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). Bengaluru Urban struggles with child protection issues (child labour and abuse), while districts in Kalyana Karnataka face nutritional challenges (high anaemia rates). Several districts also lag in realizing the Right to Education. The report emphasizes the need for targeted interventions, increased budget allocation, and reducing disparities to improve child rights across Karnataka.

News Article:

Karnataka Ranks 10th in Child Rights Index; Disparities Plague Districts

Bengaluru, November 20, 2025 – Karnataka’s performance in upholding child rights and well-being is only “moderate,” placing the state at 10th among 30 states, according to the newly released Child Rights Index in Karnataka-2023. The study, a collaboration between the Institute for Social and Economic Change and the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), exposes significant disparities across districts in key areas.

The index, released Thursday, assesses child rights across six dimensions: Right to Life, Right to an Enabling Environment, Right to Nutrition, Right to Protection, Right to Education, and Right to Participation. While “Right to Life” indicators showed relatively less variation, significant differences were observed in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Under-5 Mortality, and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) across districts.

“The government should focus on reducing the disparities across districts with respect to IMR, Under-5 Mortality and MMR indicators to realise the child rights towards the Right to Life component,” the report stated.

Bengaluru Urban faces a particularly challenging situation concerning child protection. The report finds crime rates against children in Bengaluru Urban being seven to eight times greater than other districts. It also struggles with child labour and crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

Districts like Vijayapura, Belagavi, Gadag, Bengaluru Urban, and Kolar are in need of greater attention for children’s Right to Protection.

Moreover, districts in Kalyana Karnataka are grappling with severe nutritional deficiencies, with over 70% of children in seven districts suffering from anaemia. Yadgir, Gadag, Chitradurga, Davangere, and Chikkaballapura showed low realisation with respect to the Right to Education dimension.

The report calls for targeted interventions to address these disparities, including increased budget allocation for child-centric programs. The report also suggested that allocations to backward districts like Kalyana Karnataka and northern districts should be increased.

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