What is the juvenile age in India?

The correct answer is 18.

Key Points

•  The 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure confines the juvenile court's jurisdiction to youths under 16 years old who have committed offenses not punishable by death or life imprisonment.
• The Central Children Act of 1960 has a broader definition of delinquency and extends the age to 18 for girls.

Important Points

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act) 2015
  • It was introduced and passed in Parliament in 2015 to replace the Juvenile Delinquency Law and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act) 2000.
  • The Act seeks to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children as ratified by India on December 11, 1992.
  • It allows the trial of juveniles in conflict with the law in the age group of 16-18 years as adults, in cases where the crimes were to be determined.
  • The nature of the crime, and whether the juvenile should be tried as a minor or a child, was to be determined by a Juvenile Justice Board.
  • The Act streamlined adoption procedures for orphans abandoned and surrendered children.
  • The act introduced foster care in India.
  • The existing Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has been given the status of a statutory body to enable it to perform its function more effectively.
  • The law also made a provision that while adopting a child, priority is given to disabled children and physically and financially incapable children.
  • Special provisions have been made to tackle child offenders committing heinous offenses in the age group of 16-18 years.
  • The Juvenile Justice Board is given the option to transfer cases of heinous offenses by such children to a Children’s Court (Court of Session) after conducting the preliminary assessment.