UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Young love

Q1. Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the statutory age of consent is fixed at how many years?

  • A. 14 years
  • B. 16 years
  • C. 18 years
  • D. 21 years

Q2. Which of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Q3. In the context of the POCSO Act, 2012, the term 'strict liability' as applied to sexual offences against minors most precisely means which one of the following?

  • A. The accused can be convicted only if both intent (mens rea) and the act (actus reus) are proved beyond reasonable doubt.
  • B. The consent of the minor victim is legally irrelevant to the offence, regardless of the minor's actual willingness.
  • C. The burden of proof always rests on the prosecution and cannot be reversed.
  • D. The offence is non-bailable but compoundable with the consent of the victim's guardian.

Q4. The report titled 'Age of Consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012', which advised against lowering the age of consent, was submitted by which of the following?

  • A. 21st Law Commission of India in 2018
  • B. 22nd Law Commission of India in 2023
  • C. Justice J.S. Verma Committee in 2013
  • D. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in 2022