Overview

• During a POCSO case hearing, the Court said sexuality and consent lessons should start before Class IX and asked governments to review timing and content.
• The observation is not a directive, leaving changes to state education departments, and Telangana officials project a multi-month rollout for new modules.
• Psychologists describe age-appropriate instruction as crucial to emotional development and reduced shame, framing it as mental health education as much as biology.
• Gender educators say past approaches often skipped consent and identity and were treated as box-ticking exercises rather than comprehensive learning.
• Parent and child-rights groups call for guidance for families and teachers so children can identify harassment and learn correct information before turning to social media.