NLUO Child Rights Journal Achieves Global Indexing in Latest Issue Unveiled by Orissa High Court's Justice Savitri Ratho

CUTTACK, Odisha – The Centre for Child Rights (CCR) at National Law University Odisha (NLUO) has marked a significant milestone in legal academia with the release of the latest issue of its flagship publication, the Journal on the Rights of the Child . Unveiled on October 15, 2025, by the Honourable Justice Savitri Ratho of the Orissa High Court, the journal’s new edition is its first to be internationally indexed and assigned an e-ISSN number (3107-4030), signaling a major step towards global academic recognition and influence in the field of child rights jurisprudence.

The launch event, held at NLUO, underscored the critical synergy between judicial practice and academic scholarship in advancing the legal framework for child protection. Justice Ratho, who also serves as the chairperson of the Orissa High Court’s Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the indispensable role of scholarly contributions in shaping robust and effective child rights legislation and policy.

"Academic contributions are integral to building robust child rights frameworks," Justice Ratho stated, highlighting how rigorous research and analysis provide the foundational support for legislative reform and judicial interpretation. Her address moved beyond mere legal doctrine, reminding the assembled academics, students, and practitioners that the protection of children is a collective societal duty.

"Child rights, child protection and welfare is not just a law and order or judicial issue but a shared responsibility, and everyone needs to step up," she remarked, calling for a multi-stakeholder approach that involves every segment of society.

This perspective is crucial for legal professionals, who often operate within the confines of statutory interpretation and procedural law, reminding them of the broader social context in which these laws are implemented. Justice Ratho also took the opportunity to announce the relaunch of the Orissa High Court JJC's own digital newsletter, 'Sishu Suraksha,' inviting the legal community to engage with the judiciary's ongoing efforts to disseminate information and promote awareness on juvenile justice.

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A New Era of Academic Rigour and Global Reach

The journal's newly acquired e-ISSN and international indexing represent more than a procedural formality; they are a testament to the CCR's commitment to adhering to "global standards of academic excellence." This development significantly enhances the publication's credibility and visibility, ensuring that the research published within reaches a wider international audience of scholars, policymakers, and child rights advocates. For legal practitioners in India, this provides access to peer-reviewed, high-quality scholarship that can be cited in court filings, policy papers, and academic discourse, thereby strengthening the quality of legal argumentation in cases involving children.

The presence of NLUO's Vice-Chancellor and Patron-in-Chief of the CCR, Professor Ved Kumari, at the event further solidified the university's institutional commitment to fostering a premier hub for child rights research in India. The university has made all articles from the new edition freely accessible on its website, promoting open access to legal knowledge—a move that democratizes information and empowers a broader range of stakeholders.

Dissecting Contemporary Challenges in Child Law

The strength of the journal's latest issue lies in its diverse and timely content. Comprising 11 original submissions from a mix of academics, researchers, practising advocates, and students, the edition tackles a wide spectrum of contemporary issues at the forefront of child law. The content is thoughtfully organized into categories including research papers, case commentaries, infographics, and conference proceedings, offering multiple formats for engagement.

Thematically, the articles delve into critical and often underexplored areas, reflecting the evolving landscape of child rights. Key topics covered include:

• Public Finance and Child Welfare: An examination of budgetary allocations and financial policies as they impact children's rights, a crucial area for holding governments accountable.
• Digital Safety and Online Rights: Addressing the emergent challenges of protecting children in the digital age, from online exploitation to data privacy.
• The Nuances of Consent: A legal and social analysis of the complex issue of consent in matters concerning minors.
• Education and Nutrition: Exploring the legal frameworks guaranteeing the right to education and adequate nutrition and the persistent gaps in implementation.
• Rehabilitation of Children in Conflict with Law: A critical look at the role of social work in the reintegration of children within the juvenile justice system, advocating for a more therapeutic and less punitive approach.
• Advancing Child-Centred Justice: A cross-cutting theme that calls for a systemic shift towards legal processes and outcomes that prioritize the best interests and participation of the child.

This comprehensive range of topics provides invaluable insights for legal professionals. For instance, an advocate arguing a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act could draw upon the journal's analysis of consent, while a public interest litigator could use the research on public financing to challenge inadequate state funding for child protection schemes.

Implications for the Legal Community and the Path Forward

The launch of NLUO's internationally indexed journal is not merely a university event; it is a significant contribution to the national legal discourse on child rights. It serves as both a resource and a call to action for the legal community.

For Practitioners: The journal offers a repository of cutting-edge research and nuanced legal analysis that can directly inform litigation strategies and legal drafting. The case commentaries, in particular, can provide fresh perspectives on recent judicial pronouncements, aiding lawyers in crafting more effective arguments.

For the Judiciary: Publications like this provide judges and members of Juvenile Justice Boards with a deeper, multi-disciplinary understanding of the complex issues they adjudicate. The emphasis on a "child-centred" approach encourages a more empathetic and constitutionally-grounded interpretation of laws like the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

For Academics and Students: The journal sets a higher standard for legal scholarship in India and provides a prestigious platform for emerging scholars to publish their work. It encourages a research agenda that is both theoretically sound and practically relevant to the challenges on the ground.

Ultimately, the journal, supported by the active engagement of the judiciary, reinforces Justice Ratho’s central message: the protection of children is a collaborative enterprise. By bridging the gap between academic theory and legal practice, NLUO’s Centre for Child Rights is helping to build a more informed, skilled, and compassionate community of professionals dedicated to upholding the rights of every child.