Research on child rights in India faces several significant challenges that impede effective programming and budgeting. Key issues include limited data availability and quality, as well as social and political barriers. Reliable, up-to-date data on various aspects of child rights, particularly for children and youth without parental care, is scarce.
Even when available data is scattered across various governmental and non-governmental agencies, it leads to inconsistencies and difficulties in compiling a comprehensive picture. This fragmentation hinders the assessment of the actual situation and progress over time. Additionally, a gap between policy and practice complicates the evaluation of the real impact of these measures. Research in this field often receives less funding than other sectors, which affects the scope, scale, and quality of research projects. The interdisciplinary nature of child rights research, intersecting with law, sociology, psychology, and economics, requires a holistic approach that is often challenging to achieve in practice.
The child protection social workforce is the first line of response for vulnerable and at-risk children, families, individuals, and communities. However, stakeholders often lack the knowledge and skills to use tools and techniques that ensure the well-being of those they serve. This includes providing preventative, responsive, and promotive services to alleviate poverty, reduce discrimination, promote social justice and equity, and prioritize children’s and youth’s well-being.
In 2017, Udayan Care launched the “Current Aftercare Practices” (CAP) study to ensure that Care Leavers are granted their rights. This pioneering study examined existing aftercare programs and provisions from the perspectives of Care Leavers and key informants. Concluding in April 2019, the study covered Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan and was published as the “Beyond 18” study. The recommendations from various stakeholders have shaped our interventions for care leavers and informed the Vatsalya scheme’s Aftercare policy, including the incorporation of the Individual Aftercare Plan.
Udayan Care has presented numerous papers at international forums, and over 80 research papers have been published. 
Udayan Care has trained over 8,300 functionaries across more than 18 states in India on juvenile justice, independent living, aftercare, case management, and family-based care. As of March 2024, all training follows the KABS methodology, enhancing Knowledge, Attitudes, Behavior, and Skills with pre-post analysis to measure outcomes.
We have curated three customized curricula:
