Chhattisgarh ‘Rakshak’ Course Receives SKOCH Gold Award

The Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has received national recognition for its innovative ‘Rakshak’ course, which was awarded the SKOCH Gold Award for its contribution to child rights protection.

The initiative was developed under the leadership of Dr. Varnika Sharma, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The course aims to create a pool of trained human resources for child protection through academic learning as well as practical field experience.

The recognition highlights Chhattisgarh’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of people working in areas related to child rights, counselling, social work and child protection.

Why in News?

On 26 September 2026, the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights received the SKOCH Gold Award for its ‘Rakshak’ course.

Key Highlights

• Initiative: ‘Rakshak’ – PG Diploma in Protection of Child Rights (PGDPCR)
• Award: SKOCH Gold Award
• Organisation: Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
• Leadership: Dr. Varnika Sharma
• Course duration: One year
• Structure: Two semesters
• Minimum qualification: Graduation
• Main objective: Develop trained human resources for child protection
• Learning approach: Theory + field work + case studies + project reports

What is the ‘Rakshak’ Course?

‘Rakshak’ is the name given to the Post Graduate Diploma in Protection of Child Rights (PGDPCR).

It is a one-year, two-semester course designed to provide specialised training in child protection.

The course combines classroom-based theoretical learning with practical exposure so that students can understand how child protection institutions and mechanisms function in real-world situations.

Eligibility

• The minimum educational qualification mentioned for admission is graduation.

Objectives of the Rakshak Course

The main objective is to create trained human resources in the field of child protection.

The course seeks to provide students with knowledge and practical exposure related to:

• Child rights
• Child protection
• Counselling
• Social work
• Juvenile justice
• Rehabilitation
• Legal safeguards for children

The initiative can also create opportunities for trained youth in areas associated with child protection and social services.

Practical Training and Field Exposure

A major feature of the Rakshak course is that it does not focus only on theoretical education.

Students will receive practical exposure through:

• Field work
• Case studies
• Project reports
• Interaction with child protection institutions
• Understanding the functioning of child welfare mechanisms

Students will be able to gain practical experience by becoming directly familiar with the work of institutions such as:

• Child Welfare Committees (CWCs)
  • Child Welfare Committees deal with matters concerning children in need of care and protection.
• Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs)
  • Juvenile Justice Boards are associated with matters involving children in conflict with law.
• Child Care Institutions
  • Students can gain exposure to institutions involved in the care, protection and rehabilitation of children.
• Voluntary Organisations
  • The course also provides exposure to the role of voluntary organisations working in the child protection sector.

Subjects Covered Under the Course

The Rakshak course covers several important areas of child rights and child protection legislation.

These areas make the course relevant not only for academic learning but also for practical work in the child protection system.

What is the SKOCH Award?

The SKOCH Award is an independent recognition instituted by the SKOCH Group to honour impactful projects, innovations and initiatives in areas such as governance, public administration, technology, development and social impact. The SKOCH Awards have been presented since 2003.

The awards recognise initiatives that demonstrate innovation, effective implementation and measurable impact, particularly in the areas of governance and public service delivery.

How are SKOCH Awards Given?

SKOCH follows a structured evaluation process for nominated projects. This may include:

• Research and initial shortlisting
• Presentation of projects before domain experts
• Evaluation by peers and experts
• Public or popular voting
• Assessment of the project’s implementation and impact

Based on the evaluation, projects may receive different levels of recognition, including SKOCH Platinum, SKOCH Gold and SKOCH Silver Awards.

How the Course Can Strengthen Child Protection

Child protection requires not only laws and institutions but also trained professionals who understand how these systems work.

This approach can help students understand both the legal framework and the practical challenges involved in protecting children.

Role of Universities

According to the source, the course will be introduced in universities of Chhattisgarh with the permission of the relevant boards or councils of the universities.

This can help integrate specialised child-protection education into higher education.

It can also provide young people with opportunities for training and employment in areas such as:

• Child protection
• Counselling
• Social work
• Rehabilitation
• Child welfare services

Significance for Chhattisgarh

The Rakshak course is significant from several perspectives.

• Child Protection
  • It focuses on developing trained personnel who can contribute to child protection mechanisms.
• Legal Awareness
  • Students receive exposure to important laws and rights concerning children.
• Skill Development
  • The programme links higher education with specialised professional skills.
• Practical Learning
  • Field work and case studies provide experience beyond classroom learning.
• Employment Opportunities
  • The course can create specialised training pathways for youth interested in child protection, counselling and social work.

Important Child Protection Frameworks

The course covers several legal and policy areas that are important for competitive examinations.

• POCSO
  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences framework deals with protection of children from sexual offences.
• Juvenile Justice
  • The juvenile justice framework provides mechanisms concerning children requiring care and protection as well as children in conflict with law.
• Right to Education
  • The Right to Education framework recognises children’s entitlement to elementary education.
• Child Marriage
  • The legal framework seeks to prevent child marriage and protect children from its social and developmental consequences.
• Child Labour
  • Child labour laws provide safeguards against the exploitation of children through prohibited employment.

Challenges in Child Protection

Developing laws and institutions is only one part of child protection. Effective implementation also requires:

• Adequately trained personnel
• Awareness of child rights
• Effective coordination among institutions
• Timely intervention
• Counselling and rehabilitation
• Proper implementation of legal safeguards
• Adequate institutional capacity
• Community awareness

The availability of specialised courses can contribute to addressing the human-resource and capacity-building dimension of child protection.

Way Forward

To strengthen child protection in Chhattisgarh, the following measures can be important:

1. Expand specialised child-rights education.
2. Provide students with regular field exposure.
3. Strengthen coordination between child protection institutions.
4. Increase awareness of child rights and legal safeguards.
5. Promote counselling and rehabilitation skills.
6. Encourage research and case-study-based learning.
7. Develop trained professionals for child protection services.
8. Monitor the implementation and outcomes of specialised training programmes.

Conclusion

The ‘Rakshak’ PG Diploma in Protection of Child Rights receiving the SKOCH Gold Award gives national recognition to Chhattisgarh’s initiative in specialised child-protection education.

The one-year, two-semester programme combines theoretical learning, field work, case studies and project work. Its focus on laws, child welfare institutions, counselling, rehabilitation and social work makes it relevant to developing trained human resources for child protection.

CGPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. ‘Rakshak’, recently associated with Chhattisgarh, refers to:

1. A police training programme
   B. A Post Graduate Diploma in Protection of Child Rights
   C. A rural employment programme
   D. A child nutrition scheme

Answer: B

Q2. The ‘Rakshak’ course is primarily aimed at:

1. Training sports coaches
   B. Creating trained human resources for child protection
   C. Training forest officers
   D. Developing tourism professionals

Answer: B

Q3. Consider the following areas covered under the Rakshak course:

1. POCSO
2. Juvenile Justice
3. Child Marriage
4. Right to Education
5. Rehabilitation

Which of the above are included?

1. Only 1 and 2
   B. Only 1, 2 and 3
   C. Only 2, 3, 4 and 5
   D. All of the above

Answer: D

Q4. The ‘Rakshak’ course was recognised with which award?

1. National e-Governance Award
   B. SKOCH Gold Award
   C. Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence
   D. UNESCO Education Award

Answer: B

CGPSC Mains Practice Question

Q1. Discuss the importance of trained human resources in strengthening the child protection system.

Q2. How can specialised higher-education courses contribute to social welfare and employment generation?