Answer: 18
Notes: The Law Commission of India’s Report No. 283 on ‘Age of Consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012’ was submitted recently to the Union Law Minister. It has advised against changing the existing age of consent, which is 18 years under the POCSO Act, to exempt sexual acts among adolescents from criminal law. Instead, it recommends introducing "guided judicial discretion in sentencing" for cases involving those aged 16 to 18 to ensure a balanced approach that safeguards the child's best interests.
