“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,” Court observed.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that sex education should be imparted to children from an earlier age rather than starting it from class IX as is currently being done [Juvenile X vs. State of Uttar Pradesh].
A Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe stressed upon the need for sex education from an early age and urged the authorities to take corrective measures so that children are informed and sensitized appropriately.
“We are of the opinion that sex education should be provided to the 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 Court observed.
The Court made the observation while allowing the appeal filed a 15-year-old boy accused of offences under Section 376 (Rape) and Section 506 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 (Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
The juvenile appellant had been denied bail by the Allahabad High Court in August 2024, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court.
The top court had in September 2025 directed his release on bail subject to terms and conditions to be fixed by the Juvenile Justice Board. This was after noting that the accused himself was a minor.
The Court had also directed to the State of Uttar Pradesh to file an affidavit detailing how sex education was being implemented in higher secondary schools to create awareness among adolescents regarding puberty and related issues.
In compliance with the same, the State filed an affidavit outlining the curriculum framed by the Secondary Education Department for Classes IX to XII consistent with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) directives.
However, the Bench opined that authorities should take corrective policy measures to ensure that children are informed about the changes that occur during puberty, along with the necessary care and precautions to be observed in relation to it.
The Court proceeded to set aside the Allahabad High Court’s order and made its earlier bail order absolute. The bail order will operate until the conclusion of trial.
