Objective questions (MCQs) based on the topic "Criminalisation of Adolescent Relationships and POCSO Act",

 

🟢 Q1.Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, what is the legally defined age of consent for sexual activity in India?

a) 14 years
b) 16 years
c) 18 years
d) 21 years

🟩 Correct Answer: c) 18 years

📘 Explanation (English):
As per the POCSO Act, any person below the age of 18 is considered a child, and any sexual activity with them is treated as statutory rape, regardless of consent.

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
POCSO अधिनियम के अनुसार, 18 वर्ष से कम उम्र के किसी भी व्यक्ति को बच्चा माना जाता है और उसके साथ की गई कोई भी यौन क्रिया अपराध मानी जाती है, चाहे वह सहमति से हो या नहीं।

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🟢 Q2.Which of the following Articles empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary for doing complete justice in any case?

a) Article 32
b) Article 136
c) Article 141
d) Article 142

🟩 Correct Answer: d) Article 142

📘 Explanation (English):
Article 142 of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to pass orders to ensure “complete justice” in any case pending before it.

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
अनुच्छेद 142 के तहत सुप्रीम कोर्ट को किसी भी मामले में "पूर्ण न्याय" सुनिश्चित करने के लिए आवश्यक आदेश पारित करने की शक्ति प्राप्त है।

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🟢 Q3.Which international treaty body recommends that adolescents should not be criminalised for consensual, non-exploitative sexual activity?

a) ILO
b) UNICEF
c) UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)
d) WHO

🟩 Correct Answer: c) UNCRC

📘 Explanation (English):
General Comment No. 20 by the UNCRC committee advises states to avoid criminalising adolescents in similar-aged, consensual, and non-exploitative relationships.

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
UNCRC की सामान्य टिप्पणी संख्या 20 यह सिफारिश करती है कि सरकारें समान आयु के किशोरों के बीच सहमति पर आधारित और गैर-शोषणकारी यौन संबंधों को अपराध न बनाएं।

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🟢 Q4.Which of the following was the main reason why the Supreme Court did not impose a prison sentence in the Re: Right to Privacy of Adolescents (2025) case?

a) Lack of evidence
b) Pressure from civil society
c) Emotional and financial trauma to the girl
d) International pressure from human rights groups

🟩 Correct Answer: c) Emotional and financial trauma to the girl

📘 Explanation (English):
The SC recognised that sentencing the accused would hurt the girl more — who had already suffered socially, emotionally, and financially. Hence, using Article 142, it avoided jail time.

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने माना कि अगर आरोपी को सजा दी गई, तो सबसे अधिक नुकसान लड़की को ही होगा जो पहले से ही मानसिक, सामाजिक और आर्थिक पीड़ा झेल रही थी।

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🟢 Q5.Which High Court made controversial remarks suggesting adolescent girls should "control their urges", drawing criticism in a POCSO-related case?

a) Bombay High Court
b) Delhi High Court
c) Calcutta High Court
d) Kerala High Court

🟩 Correct Answer: c) Calcutta High Court

📘 Explanation (English):
The Calcutta HC in 2022 made remarks blaming adolescent girls, which led to national criticism and a suo motu case in the Supreme Court.

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
कलकत्ता उच्च न्यायालय ने एक टिप्पणी की थी कि किशोरी लड़कियों को अपनी इच्छाओं पर नियंत्रण रखना चाहिए, जिससे राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर आलोचना हुई।

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🟢 Q6.Which of the following statements about the POCSO Act is incorrect?

a) It considers anyone below 18 as a child.
b) It allows consensual sex between adolescents aged 16–18.
c) It punishes all sexual acts involving minors.
d) It applies regardless of gender.

🟥 Correct Answer: b) It allows consensual sex between adolescents aged 16–18.

📘 Explanation (English):
POCSO does not allow consensual sex even between teenagers. Any act with a person under 18 is treated as an offence, regardless of consent.

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
POCSO अधिनियम के अंतर्गत 16–18 वर्ष के किशोरों के बीच सहमति से यौन संबंध भी अपराध माना जाता है।

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🟢 Q7.Which of the following is not a recommendation made by the Supreme Court in this case?

a) Comprehensive sexuality education
b) Emergency support and counselling
c) Lowering the age of marriage
d) Better data collection on adolescent cases

🟥 Correct Answer: c) Lowering the age of marriage

📘 Explanation (English):
The Court suggested better education, support services, and data — but not lowering the legal age of marriage (which is 18 for girls).

📙 व्याख्या (Hindi):
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने यौन शिक्षा और परामर्श सेवाएं सुधारने की सिफारिश की, लेकिन विवाह की न्यूनतम उम्र घटाने की कोई सिफारिश नहीं की।