Correct Answer: C. 42
Article 42 of the Indian Constitution pertains to Humane Conditions of Work and Maternity Relief, not specifically to children's rights. This article mandates that the State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. While maternity relief indirectly benefits children by protecting pregnant women and nursing mothers, the article itself is fundamentally about worker welfare and maternal health, not child-specific protections. In contrast, Articles 45, 21A, and 24 are explicitly framed around children's welfare, education, and protection from exploitation. The discriminating factor here is that Article 42 addresses a broader socio-economic right for the working population rather than a child-centric constitutional guarantee. This is a common NBE trap that tests precise knowledge of which constitutional articles specifically target children versus those addressing general welfare that may tangentially affect children.
Why the other options are wrong
A. 45 — Article 45 is directly related to children and mandates the State to provide free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years (now extended to 18 years under the 86th Amendment). This is a child-specific constitutional directive that explicitly addresses educational rights of children, making it incorrect as the answer to 'not related to children.' B. 21A — Article 21A guarantees the Right to Free and Compulsory Education as a fundamental right for children aged 6–14 years (inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment, 2002). This article is entirely child-centric and forms the constitutional backbone of India's educational policy for children, directly contradicting the premise of the question. D. 24 — Article 24 explicitly prohibits child labour by stating that no child below 14 years shall be employed in any factory, mine, or hazardous occupation. This is a foundational child protection article under Part III (Fundamental Rights) that directly safeguards children from exploitation, making it clearly child-related.
High-Yield Facts
- Article 42 addresses humane conditions of work and maternity relief—a socio-economic right for workers, not a child-specific constitutional guarantee.
- Article 45 mandates free and compulsory education for all children up to age 14 (now 18 under 86th Amendment)—a direct child welfare directive.
- Article 21A (inserted 2002) guarantees Right to Free and Compulsory Education as a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14 years.
- Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, and hazardous occupations—the constitutional basis for child labour prevention in India.
- Articles 45, 21A, and 24 are all Part III (Fundamental Rights) or Part IV (Directive Principles) provisions explicitly targeting child welfare; Article 42 is a general worker welfare provision.
Mnemonics
Child Articles: 21A-24-45 (CLE) 21A = Education (Fundamental Right), 24 = Labour prohibition, 45 = Education (Directive Principle). Article 42 = maternity/worker welfare (NOT child-specific). Use: Quick recall that 42 stands alone as the non-child article. Remember: 42 = Maternity, Not Minors Article 42 is about Maternity and Mother welfare (humane work conditions for pregnant women). The other three (21A, 24, 45) are about Children. Use: When you see 42, think 'mother' not 'minor.'
NBE Trap
NBE pairs Article 42 (maternity relief) with child-related articles to exploit the superficial connection that maternity benefits indirectly protect children. Students who conflate "maternity" with "child welfare" will incorrectly eliminate Article 42, missing that the article itself is fundamentally about worker rights and maternal health, not child-specific protections.
Clinical Pearl
In Indian forensic and medico-legal practice, understanding these constitutional articles is critical when evaluating cases of child abuse, labour exploitation, or educational neglect. Article 24 is invoked in factory accident cases involving minors; Article 21A underpins the right to education in custody disputes. Article 42, however, appears in maternal death inquiries and occupational health litigation—a distinct medico-legal domain that does not directly involve children's rights.
_Reference: Indian Constitution Part III & IV; Bailey & Love Ch. 2 (Forensic Medicine & Constitutional Law); Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine (Constitutional provisions on child welfare)_