The protection of child soldiers in international law albeit a young component of international law, has become a matter of increasing international concern. Children living in conflict zones are extremely vulnerable to conscription or enlistment to the ranks of the armed forces fighting in the region, whether controlled by the State or not. Despite various legal norms and binding international obligations on States to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers, this despicable practice continues till date. This paper seeks to analyse the international legal norms governing child conscription, under international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international criminal law. The author will study the scope and evolution of the norms governing conscription and enlistment of children into the belligerent forces. The author will also attempt to analyse the shortcomings in the laws and reasons for its inability to protect children from the scourges and scars of participation in hostilities.