The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the recommendations of a national expert committee to introduce comprehensive sex education across schools and colleges in India. According to the government, the initiative will be implemented after receiving approval from the apex court.

During proceedings before a bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that the committee's report has been accepted and is intended for implementation throughout the country.

The committee was formed following directions from the Supreme Court, which had asked the Centre to examine ways to prevent consensual adolescent relationships and cases involving minor pregnancies from being unnecessarily criminalised under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

To study these issues, the government constituted a 26-member national expert panel led by an Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The committee was tasked with examining concerns related to adolescents' privacy rights in consensual relationships while considering the legal framework of the POCSO Act.

Major Recommendations

The expert panel recommended introducing comprehensive sex education and child sexual abuse awareness as part of the core curriculum in schools. It proposed that students receive age-appropriate education to improve awareness, encourage safe behaviour, and develop informed decision-making skills.

For younger children, the committee suggested including lessons on personal hygiene, body awareness, safety practices, and the difference between safe and unsafe touch during the foundational stages of education.

The report also recommended that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) develop an updated curriculum aligned with these objectives. Additionally, adolescent education programmes should be expanded in schools and colleges in accordance with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a focus on holistic development, life skills, and critical thinking.

Implementation Measures

• Introduce age-appropriate comprehensive sex education within the regular school curriculum.
• Include lessons on child safety, hygiene, body awareness, and safe versus unsafe touch from the primary level.
• Develop revised educational material through NCERT.
• Align adolescent education programmes with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Appoint trained educators to conduct dedicated sessions on these topics.
• Hold mandatory classes lasting approximately 15–20 minutes twice each week.
• Organise awareness programmes for parents, guardians, and teachers to improve understanding of child development and the importance of age-appropriate sex education.

Supreme Court Yet to Issue Final Order

The report has received support from senior advocates Madhavi Divan and Liz Mathew, who are assisting the Supreme Court as amici curiae. They highlighted the importance of clearly defining the scope of comprehensive sex education. The Supreme Court has indicated that it will review the committee's recommendations before issuing its final decision on the matter.