[Advertisement] GNLU Announces Postgraduate Diploma in Juvenile Justice, Child Rights and Child Protection
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar, is a statutory university established under the Gujarat National Law University Act, 2003 by the Government of Gujarat. Recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), GNLU is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS).
GNLU offers interdisciplinary legal education through its undergraduate programmes (BA LL.B., BCom LL.B., BSc LL.B., BSW LL.B. and BBA LL.B.), postgraduate programmes, doctoral studies, and specialised foreign law and language courses. In 2025, GNLU was ranked 5th in the NIRF rankings, received a Five-Star rating from GSIRF, and was ranked 3rd by Outlook and India Today among top law schools in India.
About the Centre for Women and Child Rights (CWCR)
The Centre for Women and Child Rights (CWCR) was established in September 2020 under Gujarat National Law University as a Centre of Excellence dedicated to research, advocacy, and policy engagement at the intersection of law and social justice. The Centre focuses on issues relating to gender justice, reproductive justice, child rights, and social inclusion.
CWCR's work is driven by critical legal research, student-led advocacy, and collaborative projects aimed at creating tangible social impact. The Centre undertakes independent, non-partisan research to strengthen public policy in areas such as child rights, education, mental health, and the welfare of women and children.
CWCR has partnered with key institutions including the Ministry of Women and Child Development (Government of India), the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the National Commission for Women (NCW), and the Gender Resource Centre of the Government of Gujarat. Its student-led research initiatives include studies on Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, school mergers, and surrogacy laws. The Centre actively engages academic and professional communities through conferences, reading circles, and policy dialogues. Notably, CWCR's representations to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on HPV vaccine inclusion and submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on child protection have received national and international recognition.
About Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice (PIJJ)
Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre Society is a national-level, community-based non-profit organisation established in 1988. It works with marginalised, vulnerable, trafficked, run-away, and missing children, as well as deprived women, youth, and homeless individuals. Prayas was founded through the joint efforts of the Delhi Police, Delhi School of Social Work (University of Delhi), and Shramik Vidyapeeth (now Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India).
The organisation functions through two verticals: the Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice (PIJJ), which focuses on research, policy formulation, advocacy, and direct services under the Juvenile Justice framework; and the Prayas Institute of Economic Empowerment (PIEE), which implements livelihood and skill-development programmes.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Prayas operates hundreds of centres across multiple States and Union Territories and has supported lakhs of beneficiaries, including Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL), through its child protection, anti-trafficking, education, and rehabilitation initiatives.
About the Diploma Course
The Postgraduate Diploma in Juvenile Justice, Child Rights and Child Protection is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the legal, institutional, and policy frameworks governing child rights and child protection in India. The programme focuses on major child-related legislations such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012; the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986; the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005; and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The course examines how the principles of the Juvenile Justice Act create a framework for care, protection, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of Children in Conflict with Law and Children in Need of Care and Protection. It also engages with contemporary schemes and policies such as Mission Vatsalya, the NALSA Child Protection Policy, and the National Policy for Children, 2013.
Grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the programme emphasises child rights as fundamental entitlements applicable to all children, irrespective of socio-economic background, gender, or nationality. The course views child rights and child protection as an integrated ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders across governance, judiciary, law enforcement, civil society, and community institutions.
Objectives of the Course
· To develop a comprehensive understanding of international conventions, particularly the UNCRC, and national child-related legislations.
· To create an enabling environment for the effective implementation of juvenile justice, child rights, and child protection mechanisms.
· To promote systemic and transformative change through coordinated action by stakeholders at village, district, state, and national levels.
· To strengthen India's commitment to constitutional and international child protection obligations.
· To promote citizen accountability and challenge socio-cultural practices that normalise child marriage, trafficking, labour, and abuse.
Course Structure and Pedagogy
Course Scheme
The programme consists of eight courses and one dissertation, spread across two semesters.
Semester I - Introduction to Juvenile Justice, Child Rights and Child Protection - Juvenile Justice System in India vis-à-vis Child Rights and International Instruments - Juvenile Justice, Child Protection and Child Rights: Definitions, Scope and Integrated Concepts - Child Rights Related Laws in India – Part I
Semester II - Child Protection Mechanisms - Child Rights Related Laws in India – Part II - Institutional and Non-Institutional Care and Protection for Children - Child Rights Advocacy - Dissertation
Teaching Pedagogy
· Lectures
· Case studies and case discussions
· Collaborative and flipped classroom learning
· Problem-solving exercises
· Audio-visual documentaries and discussions
Eligibility
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
Course Duration and Mode
· Duration: One year (January to December)
· Mode of Learning: Blended (Online and Offline)
· Class Schedule: Weekends (Saturday and Sunday), except public holidays
· Online Platform: Cisco Webex
· Offline Classes: Conducted at the GNLU campus at the end of each semester, along with examinations
Seats Available
Total Seats: 60
Programme Fee
₹20,000 for the entire course, inclusive of tuition fees, examination fees, library fees, and administrative charges.
Important Dates
· Last Date to Apply: 20th January 2026
· Last Date for Fee Payment: 23rd January 2026
How to Apply
Applicants must download the application form from the GNLU website and submit the duly completed form along with the application fee payment proof.
The application must be sent by registered post or hand delivery to:
The Registrar
Gujarat National Law University
Attalika Avenue, Knowledge Corridor, Koba
Gandhinagar – 382426, Gujarat, India
The envelope must be clearly marked as:“Application for admission in PG Diploma in Juvenile Justice, Child Rights and Child Protection”.
A soft copy of the application form must also be sent to: pgdjjcrp@gnlu.ac.in
Course Team
Chief Patron: Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU
Patron: Dr. Nitin Malik, Registrar, GNLU
Mr. Amod K. Kanth, Founder & Mentor, Prayas JAC Society
Ms. Jeebanjyoti Mohanty, Joint Director, Institute of Juvenile Justice (Prayas JAC Society)
Course Coordinators: Dr. Asha Verma, Assistant Professor of Law & Head, Centre for Women and Child Rights
Contact Information
For queries and further details:
· +918980091701
· +91 99993 89840
For more infromation, click here for brochure
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