Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programs under the Juvenile Justice Act: Achievements, Failures, and Ongoing Challenges

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is also a representation of India's commitment to the welfare approach in rehabilitating children in conflict with law. This narrative review highlights how rehabilitation has been implemented under this legislative mandate and discusses the achievements, failures of the past, as well as its present challenges. This paper, based on empirical studies, official statistics and field observations, assesses the performance of institutional and community rehabilitation mechanisms. It argues that, despite the Act setting up a progressive legal ethos based on reformation as opposed to punishment, there are serious implementation gaps, challenges of resources and systemic ineffectiveness that have prevented it from fulfilling its transformative mandate. The paper concludes with recommendations to improve rehabilitation infrastructure, develop staff capacity and promote multi-stakeholder engagement in the pursuit of achieving the Act's restorative justice aims.