Supreme Court on POCSO

AGE OF CONSENT DEBATE IN INDIA : BACKGROUND, CHALLENGES, WAY FORWARD

The debate on lowering age of consent under the POCSO Act has intensified after Supreme Court observations. Strict application criminalises consensual adolescent relationships, especially among 16–18-year-olds. While reform advocates seek judicial discretion or close-in-age exemptions, critics fear greater exploitation. A balanced path needs legal nuance and comprehensive sexuality education.