24 Lastly, children constitute a vulnerable group among existing detainees. India is not only a signatory to international human right treaties which protect children from incarceration but also has a statutory framework in place to promote the best interests of a child. Therefore, India is under an obligation to recognise their special needs and impose a blanket ban on the detention of children. the third chapter focuses on the undeniable effect of precarious citizenship and statelessness on socio-economic rights. Given the precarious position of the individuals who have been left off the NRC and that of stateless persons, both international and domestic legal frameworks provide stipulations for how these communities should be protected. India must ensure that minimum core obligations are met despite the reality of citizens themselves facing numerous obstacles in accessing these rights. Indians courts have historically affirmed the same despite arguments of the state’s financial restraints. Despite India’s lack of comprehensive refugee and statelessness policy, its practice with analogous communities like the Tibetans and UNHCR-registered refugees sheds light on the range of basic socio-economic rights that the state can and must extend to all vulnerable communities, irrespective of their citizenship status. These rights include access to documentation, healthcare, food and nutrition, shelter, housing and sanitation, education and employment, and a particular obligation to protect children as per robust international and Indian law. SECURING CITIZENSHIP

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