India is the second most populated country in the world after China, with 1.1 billion inhabitants and middle class whose daily consumption increases at a steady rate. The population growth is also the second highest in the world after China, with an estimated 9.3% on the first trimester of 2007-2008 alone (April to June). For the 2006-2007 fiscal year the rate of growth was 9.4%, the highest it has been in 18 years, and the rates continue to accelerate at alarming strength despite the already dense population and inability to sustain it.

More than 400 million Indians are under 18 years old. 7 out of 10 Indians live in the country. The country's recent economic growth has succeeded in reducing some of the poverty and contributed to improved living conditions, however the conditions for children remain disturbing. On average, 8 out of 10 children go to primary school, yet 60% of girls drop out before finishing their five years of primary education. Too many children do not have the opportunity to go to school, even if it is mandatory, because they are obliged to work to help support their families from a very young age. There are not enough schools and each classroom can only accept up to 40 children, forcing certain schools to offer a split schedule: half the children go to school in the morning while the other half go in the afternoon.

Over 12 million children are engaged in various forms of labor in India today, often forced to perform dangerous tasks. India is recognized as having the largest number of workers under the age of 14, with jobs in the fields, or as carpet weavers, shoe-shiners, or beggars.

Inequality still runs strong between boys and girls. Girls are considered undeserving of luxuries or attention, and are thus less likely to go to school, are not as well fed, and not as well cared after. Sometimes they are even sold into prostitution. An estimated 400 000 children (the majority of which are girls) are victims of sexual exploitation each year in India.