Tamil Nadu's crucial child protection machinery is grappling with severe staffing gaps, leaving vulnerable children across multiple districts at potential risk. An alarming number of districts are operating without permanent, full-time District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs), a key frontline role in safeguarding minors.
Widespread Vacancies Undermine Child Safety
Official data reveals a troubling scenario where nine districts have no full-time DCPO in place. These districts include Kancheepuram, Tirupathur, Mayiladuthurai, Perambalur, Thanjavur, and Kanyakumari. In these areas, officers from neighboring districts are managing the additional charge on top of their regular duties. The vacancies have persisted for periods ranging from several months to a few years.
Furthermore, the situation is compounded in five other districts, such as Thiruvallur, where the system relies on DCPOs appointed on a contractual basis. These contract appointments raise significant questions about long-term accountability and consistency in child protection work.
Critical Functions Hampered, Impacting Children
The absence of dedicated officers creates a void in the child protection ecosystem. DCPOs are responsible for identifying at-risk children, presenting them before Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), arranging care or family restoration, and tracking rehabilitation progress. They play a pivotal role in cases involving children in conflict with the law by preparing Social Investigation Reports, which guide decisions on bail, institutional placement, and rehabilitation.
"When posts are vacant or held as additional charge, these functions are delayed or divided across districts, with officers stretched by responsibilities in their own districts," explained K Arun, a child rights activist from Kanyakumari. The officers also coordinate with Juvenile Justice Boards, monitor observation homes, and oversee legal adoptions within their jurisdiction.
Staffing Crisis Amid Rising POCSO Cases
These staffing gaps emerge against a backdrop of a sharp increase in reported crimes against children. State data shows a worrying jump in POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases, from approximately 4,581 in 2023 to about 6,975 in 2024. DCPOs are instrumental in coordinating rehabilitation and compensation for survivors of such offences, making their absence even more critical.
Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in 2018, becoming the first state to notify direct recruitment for DCPOs to ensure specialized qualifications. However, recruitment was delayed during the pandemic. In February 2023, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) appointed 16 DCPOs through interviews.
The recruitment process follows a specific rule: posts must be filled in a 1:1 ratio, with one post filled through direct recruitment followed by one through promotion from existing cadres like superintendents or probation officers. "As a result, only a limited number of posts could be filled through direct recruitment, with remaining vacancies to be filled through promotions," a social defence official stated.
In a recent development to address the shortfall, the TNPSC has now notified three more direct recruitment posts through its Combined Technical Services examination. The remaining vacancies are slated to be filled via promotions from within the department.
