Introduction
On May 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of India called for the decriminalization of consensual romantic relationships among adolescents under the POCSO Act. According to the Court, punishing teens for consensual relationships goes against their developmental necessities and prevents them from developing intimacy and emotional bonding. It suggested the development of a national policy for sexual and reproductive health education to raise awareness and make informed choices on the part of young people.
The Court pointed out that sex education myths are prevalent in India, which leads to its limited adoption and success. It emphasized that spreading a thorough awareness of the advantages of sex education is necessary for minimizing the rate of sexual offenses in the nation. The Court also observed that sex education is not a Western idea adverse to Indian values and that such misconceptions have resulted in state governments opposing it, resulting in bans on sex education in schools in some states
What are the current Sex Education policies in India?
As of 2025, sex education in India is still a patchwork of policies and programs unevenly implemented across states. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the current situation:
1. National-Level Policies and Programs:
Adolescence Education Programme (AEP)
Launched: 2005 under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
Objective: To impart age-appropriate knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, gender, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Status: Rolled out jointly with NCERT and state boards, but faced resistance and was banned or rebranded in various states due to sociocultural sensitivity concerns.
School Health Programme (under Ayushman Bharat)
Launched: 2018
Coverage: Includes wider health issues such as nutrition, mental health, drug/alcohol abuse, and sex and reproductive health.
Implementation: Through trained teachers (Health and Wellness Ambassadors) in government schools, but implementation is patchy.
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
Initiated in 2014 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Focus Areas: Adolescent health, mental health, nutrition, and prevention of substance abuse for youth 10-19 years.
Methodology: Community-based, involving peer educators and adolescent-friendly health clinics.
2. State-Level Variations
There is variation in implementation and curriculum at the state level:
Progressive States (e.g., Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka): Provide comparatively more elaborate programs, sometimes involving menstrual hygiene, consent, and gender equality.
Conservative States (e.g., Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh): Some have banned or watered down sex education programs based on cultural and moral grounds.
3. Challenges
Cultural Stigma: Strong opposition from parents, religious groups, and politicians.
Lack of Trained Educators:Teachers might feel uneasy or untrained.
Inconsistent Curriculum: There is no central, uniform national curriculum.
Gender Bias:Tends to be more about the girl’s role in reproduction and morality.
4. Recent Developments (2025): The May 2025 comments by the Supreme Court have reopened debate, calling for the creation of a national sex education policy and the decriminalization of consensual teenage relationships under POCSO.
Experts have demanded the creation of a central committee to prepare a comprehensive, inclusive, and science-based policy.
What changes are being proposed for sex education in India?
The changes to India’s sex education, as recently suggested by a Supreme Court recommendation, aim to implement a comprehensive national policy that incorporates age-appropriate, evidence-based content into school curricula. These suggestions include setting up an expert committee to develop inclusive, culturally appropriate materials, teacher training, and public awareness campaigns to lower stigma. The Court also underscored the decriminalization of consenting adolescent relationships under the POCSO Act. In total, the aim is to encourage young people to have healthy, respectful, and informed attitudes towards sexuality.
Conclusion
In the observations made in May 2025, the Supreme Court of India concluded that while children must be protected from abuse, the criminalization of consensual adolescent relationships under the POCSO Act should be reconsidered. The Court highlighted the importance of distinguishing between abuse and consensual adolescent relationships. It called on the national government to consider enacting a national policy on sex education to arm adolescents with correct information regarding sexuality, consent, and reproductive health. Although the Court did not issue a binding directive, its very persuasive suggestions are likely to shape future policy change, taking India towards a more enlightened and humane response to adolescent development.
About the Author
Agnimitra is a law student at the Department of Law, Hazra Campus, Calcutta University, Kolkata, with a growing passion for legal writing and research. Deeply interested in Intellectual Property Law, International Law, and issues related to Women and Child Safety, Agnimitra enjoys exploring how the law modernizes itself to the changing times of society. Whether it’s through writing articles or diving into legal debates, Agnimitra is always eager to understand and share the evolving nuances of the legal world.