The Central government has informed the Supreme Court that it is ready to introduce comprehensive sex education in schools and colleges across India after receiving the apex court's approval. The proposed curriculum will include lessons on consent, child sexual abuse, personal safety, healthy relationships and age-appropriate sexual health education, marking a significant step towards strengthening adolescent awareness and protection.

The development came during the hearing of a suo motu case in which the Supreme Court is examining concerns over the increasing number of consensual adolescent relationships being prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Appearing before the bench, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the Centre has accepted the recommendations of a 26-member national expert committee and is prepared to implement them nationwide once the Supreme Court grants its approval.

The expert committee, headed by an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was constituted to examine issues relating to adolescents' right to privacy in consensual relationships, particularly in the context of the POCSO Act.

According to the committee's report, comprehensive sex education should become part of the core curriculum in schools and colleges. The proposed syllabus includes modules on child sexual abuse awareness, consent, personal safety, protection from exploitation, reproductive health and age-appropriate sexual education. The objective is to equip children and adolescents with accurate information, help them recognise abuse and promote informed decision-making.

The report was prepared following earlier directions from the Supreme Court, which asked the Centre to recommend measures to address the growing number of minor pregnancies and prevent consensual adolescent relationships from being automatically criminalised under the POCSO Act.

During previous hearings, Justice B. V. Nagarathna expressed concern over the mechanical application of the POCSO Act in cases involving consensual teenage relationships. The court observed that adolescence, particularly between the ages of 15 and 18, is a period of emotional, psychological and social development, and questioned whether every consensual relationship between teenagers should necessarily attract criminal prosecution.

The bench also noted that criminal complaints are sometimes filed by parents after teenage couples elope, resulting in the POCSO Act being invoked even in cases that may not involve sexual exploitation or abuse.

In August 2025, Justice Nagarathna had urged investigating agencies to exercise discretion while handling such cases, advising police to assess the facts individually instead of automatically registering offences under the POCSO Act for all consensual adolescent relationships.

The ongoing proceedings originated from a suo motu case initiated after the Supreme Court set aside a Calcutta High Court judgment that advised adolescent girls to "control" their sexual urges. Since then, the apex court has been exploring legal, educational and social reforms aimed at protecting adolescents, preventing child sexual abuse and ensuring that the POCSO Act continues to be applied effectively against genuine cases of exploitation while avoiding misuse in consensual teenage relationships.