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• Modern slavery refers to exploitative situations where individuals are unable to leave due to threats, coercion, violence, abuse of power, or economic dependency.
• According to the Global Slavery Index 2018, India had nearly 18 million people living under modern slavery conditions, the highest absolute number globally due to its large population.
• Major forms of modern slavery in India include bonded labour, child labour, forced marriage, human trafficking, forced begging, and labour exploitation in unorganised sectors.
• Bonded labour is especially prevalent in brick kilns, textile industries, agriculture, embroidery, carpet weaving, mining, and manual scavenging activities across several states.
• Marginalised communities including Dalits, tribal groups, migrant workers, religious minorities, women, and children remain highly vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking networks.
• Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, lack of financial access, weak labour protections, and dependence on informal employment contribute significantly to modern slavery practices.
• Human trafficking in India is driven by illegal recruitment networks, forced labour demands, commercial sexual exploitation, child trafficking, and organised criminal activities.
• Forced marriages continue to affect women and girls due to poverty, social pressure, patriarchal traditions, dowry practices, and concerns related to family honour.
• Victims of modern slavery often suffer physical violence, mental trauma, social exclusion, denial of education, poor health conditions, and loss of personal freedom and dignity.
• The government introduced laws such as the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act, Child Labour Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and anti-trafficking legal provisions to protect victims.
• Despite legal safeguards, poor implementation, low conviction rates, corruption, weak labour inspections, and ineffective monitoring continue to limit progress against modern slavery.
• Experts emphasise stronger law enforcement, universal education, livelihood opportunities, financial inclusion, labour rights protection, and social awareness to eliminate exploitative practices permanently.