The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) to track and prevent online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India. This initiative, heralded as a significant leap in child protection, aims to create a safer digital environment for children, who now face increased online risks as technology continues to advance rapidly. NCPCR’s moves come at a crucial juncture where online crimes against children are rising, prompting stronger efforts from authorities and communities alike.

NCPCR’s AI Initiative

In November, the NCPCR made headlines by deploying AI tools dedicated to detecting and taking down online CSAM, a growing concern across the country. According to K.P.J. Gerald, a senior consultant with NCPCR, the integration of AI into the nation’s child protection framework marks not just an upgrade in technology but also a deeper commitment to safeguarding children in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Speaking at a state-level conference in Nagaland, Gerald said the commission had, in the last six months, resolved nearly 26,000 child rights violation complaints, rescued over 2,300 children from trafficking and other high-risk situations, and repatriated more than 1,000 children to Child Care Institutions in their home districts.​

The commission’s work does not stop at rescue and repatriation. By employing AI, NCPCR hopes to proactively prevent harm before it happens. Their new systems can scan digital content to spot suspicious activity and flag online spaces where vulnerable children may be at risk. This “significant leap,” as described by Gerald, is expected to enhance how online threats are identified and rapidly dealt with, supporting the overall goal of minimising the circulation of harmful material online and ensuring children’s well-being.​

Strengthening Digital Infrastructure

Alongside the deployment of AI tools, NCPCR has announced plans to further expand its technological reach. The commission will work towards combining its sixteen digital portals into a unified web platform to streamline complaint management and strengthen mental health support for children, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Standardisation of data systems for child-related complaints and stronger implementation of landmark laws such as the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, are also slated as priorities for the coming months.​

The commission has also focused on health and values, with the “Sugar Board” advisory promoting discipline, empathy, and teamwork in schools. This initiative is now active in 14 states, covering nearly six lakh schools, and has been recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” address. Such measures underline the need for a holistic approach to child protection that goes beyond technology, involving reforms in both digital and physical spaces to benefit children’s overall growth and safety.​

Community and Grassroots Role

Ensuring the safety of children is not only about advanced surveillance and enforcement. At the Nagaland conference, education officials and child welfare leaders issued a collective call for action that extends to all sections of society. Kevileno Angami, Commissioner and Secretary for School Education in Nagaland, emphasised that child protection cannot be left to the government alone. Parents, teachers, community leaders, and local institutions must participate actively to guarantee that children’s rights move beyond written laws and become part of daily practice.​

Nagaland SCPCR Chairperson Alun Hangsing also voiced concerns that children today grow up in a world shaped by rapid scientific and technological changes, which, while offering bright opportunities, bring new challenges. She stressed the need for parents and schools to nurture the right values and social awareness, ensuring that science and technology play a positive role in children’s overall development and safety.

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