UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Lowering the age of juvenility for crimes is a step back

Q1. With reference to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Act defines a 'child' as a person who has not completed eighteen years of age.
  2. A 'heinous offence' is one for which the minimum punishment prescribed under any law in force is imprisonment for seven years or more.
  3. A Juvenile Justice Board consists of one Metropolitan/Judicial Magistrate of the first class and two social workers, of whom at least one shall be a woman.
  4. The transfer system permitting trial as an adult applies to all children aged 14-18 years accused of heinous offences.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Under which section of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 does the Juvenile Justice Board conduct a preliminary assessment of a child in conflict with law aged 16-18 years for possible transfer for trial as an adult?

  • A. Section 14
  • B. Section 15
  • C. Section 18
  • D. Section 19

Q3. Under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which one of the following is the designated forum to which a child in conflict with law aged 16-18 years may be transferred from the Juvenile Justice Board for trial in respect of a heinous offence?

  • A. The High Court of the State concerned
  • B. The Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate
  • C. The Children's Court (a Court of Session designated as such)
  • D. A Special Court constituted under the POCSO Act, 2012

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as amended in 2021. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly stated?

  1. The District Magistrate (including Additional District Magistrate) is empowered to issue adoption orders under Section 61.
  2. A 'serious offence' is one for which the minimum punishment is more than three years and the maximum does not exceed seven years.
  3. A 'place of safety' is a facility where a child in conflict with law may be kept up to the age of twenty-five years.
  4. The Children's Court for trial of a transferred child is a Court of Session designated as such.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4 only

Q5. Which one of the following is the nodal Ministry of the Union Government for the administration and implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015?

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