Observed every year on 12 June, World Day Against Child Labour draws attention to the millions of children still engaged in work instead of education. In 2024, 137.6 million children worldwide were engaged in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work. In India, home to more than 10 million child labourers, over 40,000 were rescued from labour, sexual exploitation and begging in 2024-25.Published on June 12, 2026