Revisiting Gender Neutrality in POCSO Act, 2012

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Supreme Court issued notice in a case where a woman is accused of ‘penetrative sexual assault’ on a minor boy under Section 3 of the POCSO Act, 2012. 

• The case has renewed debate on the Act’s gender neutrality, especially whether it covers female perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

What is the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012?

• About: POCSO Act, 2012 was enacted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation of children. 
  • It was amended in 2019 that increased punishments, including the death penalty for aggravated penetrative sexual assault of a child.
• Salient Features: 
• Gender Neutrality: The Act is gender-neutral and safeguards all children, irrespective of gender.
  • Definition of a Child:  It defines a child as any person below 18 years of age. 
  • Coverage of Abuse: The Act covers penetrative and non-penetrative assault, sexual harassment, and pornography. Offences are aggravated if committed by someone in trust or authority or against a mentally ill child, and child trafficking for sexual purposes is also punishable.
• Graded Punishments: Punishments range from 10 years to life imprisonment for penetrative sexual assault and 20 years to life for aggravated cases, with stricter terms if the child is under 16. 
  • Use, possession, attempt, and abetment of offences, including child pornography, are also punishable, with fines or imprisonment up to 7 years depending on severity and intent.
• Judicial Process: The Act requires Special Courts to try offences. It ensures that the evidence of the child is recorded within 30 days, and the trial is completed within 1 year, wherever possible.
• Scope and Overriding Effect: The POCSO Act has an overriding effect over other laws if there is inconsistency. It applies only to child survivors and adult offenders, while cases of child-on-child offences or child-on-adult offences are governed by the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.

Does the POCSO Act, 2012 Uphold Gender Neutrality?

• Statutory Interpretation: Section 3 of POCSO act defines penetrative sexual assault using gender-neutral terms and does not explicitly limit the offence to male perpetrators.
  • The use of the pronoun ‘he’ in statutory language is governed by Section 13(1) of the General Clauses Act, 1897, which states masculine words include the feminine unless the context specifies otherwise.
• Scope of Offences: The definition includes oral, digital, and object-based penetration, which can be committed by individuals of any gender.
  • Section 3(d) also criminalises inducing a child to perform a sexual act on another person — expanding applicability.
• Legislative Intent: The Ministry of Women and Child Development, in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, stated unambiguously that POCSO ‘is a gender neutral Act’.
  • The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the POCSO Amendment Bill, 2019 explicitly confirms that the POCSO Act is gender-neutral.

How can India Ensure Balanced Legal and Policy Frameworks for Child Protection?

• Strengthening the Legal Framework: Resolve definitional gaps in the POCSO Act, 2012 especially regarding gender neutrality, to ensure uniform and fair application of the law.
  • Additionally, harmonize POCSO, JJ Act, and BNS while introducing nuanced sentencing guidelines that balance stringency with reformative justice.
• Robust Institutional Capacity: Mandate specialized training for all stakeholders and strengthen infrastructure, including Special Courts and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) capacity, to ensure faster and child-sensitive case handling.
• Proactive and Preventive Policies: Mandate strict child protection policies, including annual Personal Safety Education (PSE) for students. Use technology to enhance monitoring through a national child-protection database, data analytics, and safe, anonymous reporting platforms for children.
• Address Digital Age Challenges: Strengthen responses to Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OCSAE) through updated protocols, specialized cyber cells, and collaboration with tech companies to remove content and identify victims.

Conclusion

The POCSO Act, 2012 is gender-neutral, protecting all children from sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation. Its provisions, intent, and judicial interpretation allow prosecution of offenders of any gender, ensuring justice and comprehensive child protection.

Drishti Mains Question Q. Discuss the significance of the POCSO Act, 2012 in safeguarding children from sexual offences in India.

SC Calls for Stronger Tiger Conservation Measures

Source:TH

The Supreme Court of India has directed Uttarakhand to fully restore the Corbett Tiger Reserve after findings of illegal tree-felling and construction, and issued reforms for tiger conservation and management across all States.

• Uttarakhand must restore Corbett, submit a restoration plan within 2 months, demolish illegal structures within 3 months, and file a compliance report within 1 year.
• SC Directive to States:  
  • SC has ordered all States to notify the core and buffer areas of every tiger reserve within six months, and to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around these reserves within one year.
  • To prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan within three months and directed to ban tiger safaris in core and critical tiger habitats.
  • To treat human–wildlife conflict as a potential natural disaster and ensure stronger compensation systems, including an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to victims under the Centrally Sponsored Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme.

Corbett Tiger Reserve

• About: Corbett Tiger Reserve is Asia’s first national park established in 1936, renowned for its biodiversity including the world's highest density of tigers. 
  • It was established as Hailey National Park and later renamed in 1956 to honour Jim Corbett, the hunter-turned-conservationist who helped create it.
  • It became the first national park to be included under Project Tiger in 1973.
• Location:  Corbett lies in the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand. It has an undulating landscape with several valleys through which the Ramganga, Pallaen, and Sonanadi rivers flow. 
  • The reserve falls largely in the Bhabar and lower Shivalik region, known for its porous soil and deep water table.
• Flora & Fauna: Corbett’s vegetation includes moist and dry deciduous forests dominated by sal, mixed woodland, riparian vegetation, and shrub species. 
  • The reserve is known for its open grasslands, called chaurs, formed from old settlements and clearings. Important chaurs such as Dhikala and Bijrani support rich wildlife. 
  • Tigers and elephants are the flagship species, accompanied by leopards, smaller carnivores, sambar, hog deer, spotted deer, and a variety of birds and reptiles such as gharials and crocodiles.

Read more: Corbett Tiger Reserve: Uttarakhand

Women Soldiers to Join Territorial Army Battalions

Source: IE

Why in News? 

The Directorate General of Territorial Army has decided to induct women soldiers into Territorial Army (TA) Home & Hearth (H&H) Infantry battalions for the first time, marking a major step in expanding women’s roles in the defence forces.

What is the Territorial Army (TA)?

• About: The Territorial Army (TA) is a part-time voluntary military force that supports and augments the Regular Indian Army.
  • It is based on a Citizen Soldiers’ army (‘Sons of Soil’) concept and officers undergo Annual Training on basic military skills.
  • It functions under the Territorial Army Act, 1948 and allows trained civilian volunteers to serve in uniform while continuing their regular professions.
• Background: The roots of the TA trace back to the Volunteer Forces of 1857 formed after the First War of Independence in 1857.
  
  • The Indian Defence Force Act of 1917 made universities raise defence units, with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru joining the Calcutta University Corps in 1918. 
    • The Force had two parts, the European Auxiliary Force and the Indian Branch, which later became the Indian Territorial Force.
  • After Independence, the Territorial Army Act, 1948 was passed, The TA was formally inaugurated on 9th October 1949 by first Indian Governor General Shri C Rajagopalachari ( now celebrated as Raising Day of Territorial Army).
• Evolution: The TA began with many unit types, but most were later merged or disbanded. 
  • It now includes Infantry Battalions, Home & Hearth units in J&K and the North-East, Ecological Battalions, Engineer units for Line of Control fencing, departmental units like Railway, and the Composite Eco Task Force for the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
• Significance: Relieves the Regular Army from static duties so that full-time soldiers can focus on core combat tasks.
  • Assists in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, especially through TA Home & Hearth battalions in J&K and the North-East.
  • Provides support during natural disasters, industrial unrest, and restoration of essential services.
  • Plays a major role in environmental protection, afforestation, and reversing land degradation through TA Eco Battalions.
  • Acts as a reserve force capable of being mobilised during national emergencies, war, and large-scale internal disturbances.
  • Enhances civil–military coordination, as members are civilians who bring diverse skills to national service.

What is the Significance of Inducting Women into Territorial Army H&H battalions?

• The Territorial Army began commissioning women officers in 2019, allowing them to serve in Ecological Task Force units, oil sector TA units and the Railway Engineer Regiment. 
• With the positive experience gained, the Army has now decided to expand their roles further and is preparing to induct women soldiers into Home & Hearth battalions, opening the door to wider operational responsibilities.
• It expands operational opportunities for women, enhances human resources for internal security and disaster response, and advances gender inclusion in India’s defence forces.

Conclusion

The induction of women soldiers into the Territorial Army's Home & Hearth battalions marks a significant step towards gender inclusion in India's defense forces. This move reflects the ongoing evolution of women’s roles in India's armed forces, paving the way for greater equality and empowerment.

Read more: Women in Indian Armed Forces

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Breaking gender barriers in the armed forces is not only a question of equality, but also operational necessity. Discuss.

UNSC Approves Trump's Plan for Gaza

Source: TH

The UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2803, endorsing the Trump Gaza Peace Plan and authorizing the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.

• The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor and none against, although China and Russia abstained.
• Trump Gaza Plan: The Plan, announced in September 2025, aims to transform Gaza from a conflict zone to a peaceful region. It outlines a phased approach:
  • Phase 1: Ceasefire, hostages' release, and partial Israeli troop withdrawal.
  • Subsequent Phases: Demilitarization, transitional governance, and reconstruction, with the goal of creating a "deradicalized, terror-free zone."
• BoP & International Stabilization Force (ISF): A Board of Peace (BoP), chaired by President Trump, will oversee Gaza’s transition, reconstruction, and governance reforms until December 2027, after which control will transfer to a reformed Palestinian Authority.
  • The BoP is authorized to establish the International Stabilization Force (ISF), responsible for securing Gaza’s borders, supporting demilitarization, protecting civilians, and facilitating humanitarian aid. 

Read More: USA's Comprehensive Plan to End Gaza Conflict

India Re-Elected to Codex Executive Committee

Souce:PIB

India was unanimously re-elected to the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC) at 48th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48) securing its seat for Asia until CAC50 in 2027, strengthening its role in setting global food safety and quality standards.

• Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC): It was created in 1963 by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO), sets global food safety and quality standards to protect consumers and ensure fair food trade. It has 189 members, and India joined in 1964.
  • CAC is the body responsible for all matters regarding the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
  • CCEXEC oversees the management of the CAC, guides strategic planning, and manages standards development. 
    • India is a member of CCEXEC in its capacity as the Regional Coordinator for Asia (CCASIA).
• Codex Alimentarius: The Codex Alimentarius, or "Food Code", adopted by CAC  is a collection of international standards, guidelines, and codes covering food hygiene, additives, pesticide residues, contaminants, labelling, and inspection.
  • The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations as reference standards for international trade and trade dispute settlement
• India and CAC:   India has been chairing the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) since its inception in 2014, with the Spices Board of India serving as the secretariat.
  • India actively engaged in discussions around the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031, advocating for SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) Key Performance Indicators. 

Read more: India’s Millet Standards Recognised at Codex Alimentarius Commission

Shaping India’s AI-Driven Economy

Source: ET

Why in News?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to drive India’s next phase of economic growth, with NITI Aayog estimating that AI could add USD 500–600 billion to GDP by 2030.

What does NITI Aayog Reports Say about AI’s Impact on the Indian Economy??

• Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy: This report presents India’s strategic plan to address the disruptions caused by AI, aiming to position the country as the global hub for AI-driven workforce development. 
  • It introduces the 3W framework for AI and outlines its potential impact on work, workers, and the workforce.

• Roadmap on AI for Inclusive Societal Development: This report focuses on utilizing cutting-edge technologies to transition informal workers into a more formal, empowered, and future-ready labor force. 
  • It emphasizes AI’s potential to enhance inclusivity and foster sustainable development.
• AI as Both a Challenge and Opportunity for India: AI presents both challenges and opportunities for India’s economy. 
  • While it disrupts traditional formal jobs, it simultaneously provides a unique opportunity to formalize and significantly improve the productivity of the vast informal workforce.

What Potential does AI Hold for India's Economic Transformation?

• Job Creation in New, High-Value Sectors: India could create up to 4 million new jobs by 2031, especially in tech and customer service, with jobs ranging from Prompt Engineers to Quantum ML Engineers and advanced AI model developers.
• Enhanced Global Economic Standing: India can become the “AI workforce capital of the world” by shifting from traditional IT services to AI-driven work and innovation, using its strong digital talent base. 
  • The proposed India AI Talent Mission can also help reverse brain drain, similar to efforts in Singapore and the UAE.
• New Revenue Pools and Industries: It opens new avenues like AI-driven drug discovery and smart manufacturing, while its convergence with Quantum Computing, IoT, and 5G is creating opportunities in smart cities and logistics optimization.
• Productivity Gains: AI boosts efficiency and global competitiveness, delivering 10–20% productivity gains in software development and reducing costs in customer service through chatbots and real-time translation.
• Foundation for a Future-Ready Economy: Creating an open-source India AI Commons will provide datasets, models, and benchmarks to democratize innovation, while India’s AI Compute Grid will offer shared high-performance computing access to boost local R&D and retain talent.

What are the Challenges Posed by AI to the Indian Economy?

• Job Losses in the Tech Sector: As per Niti Aayog, the IT services workforce may drop from 7.5–8 million (2023) to 6 million by 2031. 
  • Overall, 60% of formal jobs in India face automation risk by 2030, with the IT and BPO sectors especially vulnerable due to routine, scalable tasks.
• Education System Gaps: India faces gaps in computer science education, with limited access and outdated AI curricula that miss emerging concepts like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). 
  • These weaknesses contribute to low research output, with AI patent shares dropping to under 5%, and fewer than 500 AI-related PhDs produced each year.
• AI Talent Supply-Demand Gap: AI talent demand is rising at 25% CAGR (from 800,000 to 1.25 million by 2026), while supply grows at only 15% CAGR.
  • India also faces net negative talent migration, losing top AI researchers at a rate of 1.55 per 10,000.
• Broader Systemic Risks: India risks losing competitiveness and strategic ground to countries like China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Singapore, while socially, limited protection for 400 million informal workers and uneven impacts across regions and groups create major challenges. 

What Recommendations has NITI Aayog Made for the Sustainable Use of AI in India?

• Embed AI in the Education System: Integrate AI learning from schools, expand AI-focused higher education, and increase AI PhD fellowships to strengthen research, while ensuring curricula stay updated through faculty–industry collaboration.
• Become a Global AI Talent Magnet: Offer competitive grants, high salaries, and priority access to the national computer grid to retain and bring back Indian AI researchers, and introduce a dedicated AI talent visa to attract global experts.
• Building an AI Skilling Engine: Launch national reskilling programs by scaling NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) and PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) for widespread AI literacy, and introduce flexible AI master's and doctoral pathways for working professionals to upgrade into high-skill roles. 
• Establishing India Open-source AI Commons: Create a central AI commons with high-quality datasets, models, and benchmarks, incentivize data contribution from universities and ministries, and ensure trust and transparency through reliable validation tools.
• Federated National Compute & Innovation Grid: Consolidate fragmented HPC resources into a unified compute grid, and provide tiered, affordable access for students, startups, and researchers to support advanced model training and reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure.

Conclusion

AI offers India a transformative economic opportunity—NITI Aayog estimates USD 500–600 billion GDP boost by 2030—if paired with reskilling, stronger AI education, robust data governance, open-source commons, and national computational infrastructure. Strategic policy, inclusive skilling, and research investments are essential to mitigate job displacement and regional inequality for sustainable growth.

Drishti Mains Question Q. Artificial Intelligence is a double-edged sword for the Indian economy. Critically analyze this statement and suggest a strategic roadmap for India to become a global leader in inclusive AI.