The Ministry of Women and Child Development is providing support for an emergency outreach service under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) for children in distress. This service is available through a dedicated toll free number, 1098 and can be accessed by children in crisis or by adults on their behalf. This service is being provided in public private partnership mode through Childline India Foundation and their local NGO partners.
The toll free helpline number 1098 can be accessed from anywhere in the country, however the helpline service centres are currently available in 366 districts across the country. Public complaint with regard to child labour and crimes against children can also be reported to the Police Unit of the district concerned. The Ministry has further strengthened the helpline number by setting up of four Centralized Call Centres (CCC) at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Gurgaon which will allow further expansion of the services.