It is accepted that working from an early age causes physical, moral and psychological trauma for the children and loss of childhood. This article contends that apart from working children, those out of school but not working constitute a reserve army of child workers and policies must focus on them as well. Incidence of schooling, work and the reserve army in India has been examined and factors determining such decisions have been identifi ed using a Multinomial Logit Model. Economic condition, Parental education, Social class, and Gender of the child emerge as important determinants. Focused and collaborative policies are necessary to reach goals of universal schooling.

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