Independent Thought
Empowering Children's Rights
Advocating for Change
In a landmark judgement in Child Rights - Independent Thought vs. Union of India, The Supreme Court of India rectified the law to protect minor brides and declared sex with minor wives as rape, leading to ammendment in Section 63, BNS, 2023.
Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani acknowledged the pivotal Supreme Court judgment, Independent Thought vs. UOI, declaring PCMA 2006 secular (Lok Sabha, Dec 21, 2021).
Who We Are
Independent Thought is a national human rights organization dedicated to promoting equity, justice, and mutual respect. We focus on child rights law through direct intervention, advocacy, and by providing technical and ongoing support. As a legal organization, we work towards legal reforms and policies that prioritize people, engaging with law students, lawyers, educators, and judicial bodies.​​​Through advocacy, research, and community engagement, we strive to create a world where every child can thrive.
Our
Mission
Our mission is to cultivate an environment where critical thinking, independence of thought, and actions based on reason are respected equally, regardless of age, gender, class, caste, religion, race, or any other distinction.​
Justice for Children
We combine legal expertise, field experience, and systemic engagement to build stronger
institutions, empower stakeholders, and promote child-centric decision-making across the country.
POSH (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013)
Our Gender Justice Unit works to strengthen the implementation of the POSH Act, 2013 to address how power, patriarchy, and inequality shape workplace environments.
Cyber Chakravyuh
We conduct workshops and trainings on cyber safety, digital rights, and responsible online behaviour for children, youth, educators, and communities, to strengthen digital literacy and improve institutional responses with robust legal frameworks for safer online environments.
LEAP: Legal Empowerment Adolescents Programme
We conduct workshops and trainings on cyber safety, digital rights, and responsible online behaviour for children, youth, educators, and communities, to strengthen digital literacy and improve institutional responses with robust legal frameworks for safer online environments.
Our Impact Areas
1
Legal Advocacy
Championing child rights in courts and legal forums to bring about systemic change.
2
Research & Publications
Conducting in-depth research to inform policy and practice in child protection.
3
Community Intervention
Implementing grassroots projects to directly support children and their families.
4
Capacity Building
Training professionals and stakeholders to enhance child protection mechanisms effectively.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST
CHILD MARRIAGE —MISSION 2029
Our Mission is to end child marriage in India by the year 2029 — marking 100 years of enactment of child marriage law in India.​
Campaign against Child Marriage (CACM) is working since 2013 to strengthen the State Accountability towards total elimination of Child Marriage in India through effective legal and institutional mechanisms.​​
Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, We empower youth and promote awareness to create lasting change.
Key Milestones
A journey of dedication and impact in child rights advocacy and protection.
CLRC strives to create child right advocates through practice driven academic courses on child rights law.
2014-2017: Project Sangwari, Dantewada
Community intervention in 25 villages on Dantewada, Chattisgarh and technical support at the State level on Child Protection.
#MISSION2029: Launch by CACM
Campaign Against Child Marriage is working towards ending child marriage in India by the year 2029 - marking 100 years of enactment of child marriage law in India.
Independent Thought National Legal Essay Competition
2012-2025 Series of annual essay competitions held to promote child right law among future lawyers, jurists and academicians.
2017: Landmark Judgment - Independent Thought vs. Union of India
Supreme Court of India rectified the law to protect minor brides and declared sex with minor wives as rape, leading to ammendment in Section 63, BNS, 2023.
North-East Interventions on Child Rights Law and Policy
Interventions focusing on child marriage and the Juvenile Justice Act in Assam and Nagaland.