Despite a steady increase in the number of children living on the streets across major Indian metropolitan areas, experts and child welfare advocates express deep concern over the lack of effective intervention. Although the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) introduced the Children in Stress Situation (CiSS) policy in 2022, Tamil Nadu has yet to translate these guidelines into tangible action. Activists point out that a primary barrier to progress is the lack of formal identification documents; without birth certificates or Aadhaar cards, these vulnerable children remain invisible to the state’s protection systems, effectively barring them from essential healthcare and educational opportunities.

The urgency of this crisis is underscored by the reality that many street-dwelling children are coerced into begging or hazardous labor by exploitative syndicates. While states like Kerala have made strides by partnering with NGOs to facilitate school enrollment and secure temporary housing, Tamil Nadu continues to lag behind despite being among the states with the highest child street populations. Civil society members, academics, and activists are now calling on the government to mandate the strict enforcement of the state’s rehabilitation policy, insisting that independent audits be conducted to ensure that these children are finally given the safety and support they are legally entitled to.