AI-Powered ‘Raksha’ Tool Launched to Strengthen Child Safety Across India
In a significant step toward safeguarding children, a new artificial intelligence-driven platform named ‘Raksha’ has been introduced to combat child trafficking, child marriage, sexual exploitation, and abuse. The tool was officially unveiled by Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Commerce and Industry, during the ‘Prosperity Futures: Child Safety Tech Summit’.
The launch comes ahead of the much-anticipated India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to take place from February 16 to 20, 2026. Raksha is designed to serve as a proactive shield for vulnerable children, using advanced data analytics to identify risks before they escalate into harm.
Developed by Just Rights for Children
Raksha has been developed by Just Rights for Children, an organization whose operational network spans over 451 districts across the country, collaborating with more than 250 civil society organizations. The tool is engineered to analyze child-related data to map sensitive zones, identify at-risk children and communities, monitor trafficking networks, and detect emerging patterns of exploitation.
By leveraging predictive insights, Raksha enables authorities and social workers to act early, preventing crimes before they occur rather than merely responding after the fact.
Minister Emphasizes Technology’s Role in Child Protection
Speaking at the launch, Minister Jitin Prasada highlighted the transformative potential of technology in child welfare. He stated that the true value of innovation lies in its ability to protect children, who represent the future of the nation. He emphasized that every child deserves a safe and empowering digital environment, and that Raksha marks a crucial milestone in that direction.
Prasada further noted that the tool would contribute to building a robust child protection framework by connecting stakeholders and fostering meaningful dialogue around child safety. He described Raksha as a platform that not only detects threats but also strengthens the overall ecosystem responsible for child welfare.
Combatting Online Exploitation and Strengthening Intervention
Bhuvan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children, explained that Raksha empowers India’s child protection infrastructure through predictive prevention, monitoring of vulnerable households, and the detection and analysis of online child sexual abuse material. The tool is built to support law enforcement and social agencies in identifying offenders and rescuing victims more efficiently.
Member of Parliament Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu also spoke at the event, noting that artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in anticipating risks and preventing crimes against children. He remarked that the system goes beyond raw data, enhancing human judgment and enabling timely intervention before any harm occurs.
How Raksha Operates
Raksha functions through three primary strategies to ensure comprehensive child protection:
- Preventing Child Marriage: By identifying families facing economic vulnerability, the tool supports efforts to reduce financial pressures that often lead to early marriage.
- Disrupting Trafficking Networks: It helps trace the root causes of trafficking and organized crime, enabling authorities to dismantle these operations at their source.
- Digital Child Protection: The platform strengthens online safety by detecting, analyzing, and mapping child sexual abuse content across digital spaces.
Tangible Impact on the Ground
In collaboration with NITI Aayog, Just Rights for Children has already demonstrated measurable results. In 2025 alone, the organization connected 2 million families with welfare schemes, prevented 198,628 child marriages, and rescued 55,146 children from exploitative situations. Additionally, 73,258 cases were resolved in coordination with law enforcement agencies, and joint efforts with the Railway Protection Force helped curb child trafficking incidents.
These achievements underscore the practical effectiveness of combining technology with grassroots action, offering a scalable model for child protection across the country.
Looking Ahead to the India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, organized by the Government of India, is set to be the first major global gathering of its kind in the Global South. The event will bring together world leaders, policymakers, and chief executives to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and India’s expanding role in shaping global AI governance and innovation.
As the nation prepares for this landmark summit, the launch of Raksha signals a growing commitment to using emerging technologies not just for economic growth, but for social good and the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.
