UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Yet another POCSO case filed against Veeramani

Q1. With reference to Special Courts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. FTSCs are confined to cases under the POCSO Act, while rape cases involving adult victims continue to be heard only in regular Sessions Courts.
  2. Special Courts under the POCSO Act owe their existence to the statute itself, whereas FTSCs are created through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented along with State Governments.
  3. Funds released to States under the FTSC scheme cover recurring expenses such as the salaries of the judicial officer and support staff.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 only

Q2. Consider the following facts about the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) scheme: the original target was 1,023 FTSCs, including 389 exclusive POCSO courts; by January 2025, 754 FTSCs, including 404 exclusive POCSO courts, were functional in 30 States/UTs and had disposed of over 3.06 lakh cases. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The number of functional exclusive POCSO courts had crossed its original target even as the total number of functional FTSCs remained below the sanctioned figure.
  2. The overall pendency of POCSO cases in the country must have declined over this period.
  3. Functional FTSCs that were not exclusive POCSO courts were well short of their share of the original target.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q3. In a recent case in Chennai, a mother filed a complaint on behalf of her minor daughter. Which of the following correctly describes the persons protected as 'children' under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012?

  • A. Girls below 18 years of age, but not boys of any age
  • B. Persons below 18 years of age, irrespective of gender
  • C. Girls below 18 years and boys below 16 years of age
  • D. Persons below 16 years of age, irrespective of gender

Q4. A 15-year-old boy tells his school teacher that his sports coach sexually assaulted him. His parents, fearing social stigma, ask the teacher not to inform anyone. With reference to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The case must necessarily be tried by an exclusive POCSO court set up under the Fast Track Special Courts scheme.
  2. The teacher is legally obliged to report the offence regardless of the parents' wishes.
  3. Whether the State has set up Special Courts to try such offences is a matter the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is mandated to monitor.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 only

Q5. With reference to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is a statutory body constituted under an Act of Parliament, not a body created by the Constitution.
  2. The duty of monitoring the implementation of the POCSO Act is cast on it and the State Commissions by the POCSO Act itself.
  3. Its monitoring mandate extends beyond the POCSO Act to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only