Juvenile Justice System in India: Legal Safeguards and Institutional Mechanisms

India is one of the most populated nations in the world and nearly 31% of total population of India are youth. The youth sometime involved themselves in antisocial activities or some crime, may be for different reasons and stuck themselves in legal jeopardy. The “juvenile justice system” in India represents a distinct legal framework grounded in the principles of reformative justice, child protection, and rehabilitation for “Juvenile delinquent”. This article is framed to examine the legal safeguards and institutional mechanisms established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which governs “children in conflict with law” and those in need of care and security. It critically analyses the statutory provisions that ensure basic safety measure such as the presumption of not guilty, the right of legal aid, protection of privacy, and the primacy of the best interests of the child. The study further explores the role and functioning of key institutions, including “Juvenile Justice Boards”, “Child Welfare Committees”, in implementing these safeguards. It further evaluates the impact of constitutional mandates and international obligations, particularly under the UN Convention on the child’s rights, in shaping India’s juvenile justice regime. Judicial pronouncements have played a substantial role in reinforcing child rights and ensuring procedural fairness, which is also examined in this analysis. Despite extensive legal drafting, challenges are there in implementation, such as “infrastructural deficiencies”, lack of “trained personnel”, and societal stigma affecting rehabilitation. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for a more integrated and child-centric approach, strengthening institutional capacities, and ensuring effective enforcement of legal safeguards to achieve the objectives of juvenile justice in India.