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Protection Help Topic

Missing Child Help and Reporting

Use police and emergency routes quickly, then find child-protection contacts and guides for recording last-seen details safely.

What should you do first?

Report a missing child to police immediately—there is no requirement to wait 24 hours. Call 112 and 1098, and share accurate last-seen information.

Information to keep ready

  • Recent photograph
  • Clothing and appearance
  • Last-seen place and time
  • Known route, companions or vehicle
  • Guardian contact and police complaint reference

What to avoid

Do not pay unknown intermediaries or publish sensitive family information beyond what police advise for a safe public appeal.

Related official routes and guidance

Help Guide

Child Labour in India: How to Report Safely

Short Summary This guide explains how ordinary citizens, parents, teachers, volunteers, and community members can respond when they suspect child labour in India. It focuses on safe action,…

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-30
HelplineAndaman and Nicobar Islands

South Andaman Child Helpline 1098

District listed child helpline for children in distress, missing children, abuse or urgent protection concerns.

Needs review Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplineRajasthan

Rajasthan Child Helpline

Emergency/non-emergency child protection helpline for children in distress, child abuse, child labour, missing children or child marriage risk.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplineHimachal Pradesh

Child Helpline 1098

Report children in distress abuse child marriage trafficking missing children or children needing care and protection.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplineGoa

Child Helpline 1098

Emergency child protection helpline for children in difficult situations or anyone reporting child abuse, neglect, missing children or unsafe conditions.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplineArunachal Pradesh

Child Helpline 1098

Child protection helpline for children in distress abuse exploitation missing child concerns or urgent child safety help.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098
Help GuideJharkhand

Guide for Children in Crisis

A child in danger, missing, abused, abandoned, trafficked or needing care can call 1098. In immediate danger also call 112.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098; 112
HelplinePunjab

Child Helpline 1098 Punjab

For children in distress, missing children, abuse, child marriage, child labour or urgent child protection concerns.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplineNagaland

Child Helpline 1098 - Nagaland

Helpline for child rights and child protection concerns. Use when a child is unsafe, abused, exploited, missing or needs care and protection.

Verified Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplineManipur

Child Helpline 1098 Manipur

Toll-free 24x7 emergency outreach helpline for children in need of care and protection. Dial when a child is abandoned, abused, missing, trafficked or in distress.

Needs review Last checked: 2026-04-281098
HelplinePuducherry

Child Help Line - Karaikal

District child helpline for Karaikal. Use for children in distress, missing children, child abuse or care-and-protection concerns.

Needs review Last checked: 4/28/202604368-230123 / 1098
HelplineKerala

Childline 1098 Kerala

Emergency toll-free outreach service for children in need of care and protection, including abuse, missing, shelter, child labour, and distress cases.

Needs review Last checked: 4/28/20261098
Help GuideKerala

Kerala Child Protection Routing Guide

For a child in danger, missing, abused, abandoned, working as child labour, or needing shelter or medical help, call 1098 immediately and route to WCD child protection services.

Needs review Last checked: 4/28/20261098

Common questions

Do I need to wait 24 hours?

No. A missing-child report should be made immediately.

What should I do if I find a child alone?

Stay in a safe public place, call police or 1098, and hand the child only to an authorised official.