• The Juvenile Justice Board is a district-level authority created under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• It deals exclusively with cases where a child is alleged to have broken the law, ensuring that the process remains child-friendly, reform-oriented and sensitive to their developmental needs.
• Its functioning emphasises rehabilitation and social reintegration rather than punishment.

Composition

• The Board is led by a Principal Magistrate who must be a Judicial Magistrate First Class or Metropolitan Magistrate with at least three years’ experience.
• Two social workers are appointed as members, and at least one of them must be a woman.
• Social workers must either have seven years of experience in child-related fields or hold a degree in disciplines such as child psychology, psychiatry, sociology, or law.
• This combination of legal and social expertise allows the Board to balance procedural fairness with child welfare considerations.

Powers

• In cases involving heinous offences by children aged sixteen or above, the JJB conducts a preliminary assessment to gauge the child’s mental and physical capacity, their understanding of the consequences, and the surrounding circumstances.
  
• Based on this assessment, the Board may decide whether the matter should continue before the JJB or be transferred to the Children’s Court for trial as an adult.
• It is authorised to conduct inquiries under the Act and issue legally binding orders suited to the child’s needs.

Functions

• Ensures that a parent or guardian is involved at every stage of the case.
• Protects the child from coercive or harmful procedures during arrest, questioning, or inquiry.
• Guarantees access to legal aid and counselling services.
• Issues final orders that focus on rehabilitation, such as counselling, education support, behaviour-correction programmes, supervision by a probation officer, or placement in appropriate child-care institutions.
• Examines whether individuals or institutions responsible for the child’s care are suitable.
• Conducts monthly inspections of homes and facilities where children in conflict with law are housed and submits recommendations to the authorities for improvement.

Significance

• The JJB ensures that children are not subjected to the adult criminal justice system and that their rights are safeguarded throughout the process.
• It promotes restorative justice, helps prevent repeat offending, and aligns India’s juvenile justice framework with constitutional values and global child-rights standards.