Sex education must be introduced at a younger age rather than from Class IX onwards, the Supreme Court has observed, urging educational authorities to take corrective measures to ensure children are made aware of the changes that come with puberty.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe said that providing timely and appropriate education about adolescence would help young students understand physical and emotional developments during puberty. “We are of the opinion that sex education should be provided to children from a younger age and not Class IX onwards. It is for the authorities concerned to apply their mind and take corrective measures, so that children are informed of the changes that happen after puberty, and the care and cautions to be taken in relation thereto,” the bench said.
The observations came as the court granted bail to a 15-year-old boy accused under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The bench noted that the boy was a minor and directed his release on bail under conditions to be fixed by the Juvenile Justice Board.
The apex court’s remarks have reignited debate on the timing and scope of sex education in Indian schools, where such instruction remains inconsistent and often limited to biological discussions in science textbooks. Experts believe that introducing age-appropriate content before adolescence could bridge the knowledge gap that often leads to misinformation and unsafe behaviour.
Under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum, students are formally introduced to topics like puberty and reproductive health around Classes VI to VIII through the chapter “Reaching the Age of Adolescence” in science textbooks. These lessons typically focus on physiological changes, hygiene, and hormonal functions rather than comprehensive sexual education.
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Efforts have been made to reach younger children as well. In 2017, NCERT revised portions of its syllabus to introduce awareness about child sexual abuse, consent, and safety, often through films and counsellor-led sessions, for students in Classes I to V. Several state boards and private schools have since adopted similar modules.
However, comprehensive sex education (CSE), which includes lessons on consent, healthy relationships, reproductive health, and prevention of abuse, is still not mandatory nationwide. Implementation varies across states, and in many cases, schools avoid explicit discussions due to cultural sensitivities.
According to educationists, India’s current approach falls short of preparing children for the psychological and physical transitions that occur in early adolescence. Studies have shown that puberty begins as early as 9–11 years in many children, well before Class IX, when most students are around 14–15 years old.
A 2023 youth survey revealed that nearly 88 per cent of young Indians supported the introduction of sex education from primary school onwards. Experts argue that delaying such lessons leaves children vulnerable to myths and misinformation, particularly given their increasing exposure to unregulated digital content.
Education policy experts have urged the Centre and state governments to integrate structured, age-sensitive modules on adolescence, consent, and personal safety across all stages of schooling. This would require trained educators, revised syllabi, and counselling infrastructure within schools.
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