Consent to Have Sex

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Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on sexual and physical violence which some readers may find disturbing.

No. The law does not recognize a child’s ability to give consent to have sex. This means that if an adult (above the age of 18) asks a child (below 18 years) to engage in any kind of sexual activity, and the child says yes explicitly or implies that they consent, this activity will still be considered as child sexual abuse or rape under the law.¹

Consent Between Children

If two children engage in sexual activities willingly, it is still considered illegal. The age of consent for girls and boys is 18 years.² Read more information in our explainer “Children Accused of Crimes”.

Independent Thought v. Union of India and Another (2017) 10 SCC 800.[↩]
Section 2(d), The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012; Independent Thought v Union of India and Another (2017) 10 SCC 800.[↩]

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