The Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (UPSLSA) has launched a statewide special awareness campaign on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, aimed at educating schoolchildren about the law, child protection and the legal consequences of relationships involving persons below 18 years of age.
The initiative is being carried out under the leadership of Justice Vikram Nath, Judge of the Supreme Court and Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), with the guidance of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali of the Allahabad High Court, who is Patron-in-Chief of UPSLSA, and Justice Arindam Sinha, Senior Judge of the Allahabad High Court and Executive Chairman of UPSLSA. PRESS NOTE pocso English
The special drive was rolled out across Uttar Pradesh on September 25, 2026. As part of its first phase, judicial officers in all districts visited schools and addressed students during morning assemblies on the provisions of the POCSO Act and the consequences of violations. They also interacted with students, explained aspects of child protection law and answered their questions. PRESS NOTE Report PRESS NOTE Report
Focus On Misconceptions About Consent And Relationships
According to the Authority, one of the reasons behind the campaign is the growing number of cases in which adolescent young men face proceedings under the POCSO Act because of lack of legal awareness and the belief that consent, affection, friendship or an intention to marry can provide a legal defence.
The campaign seeks to make adolescents aware that, under the law, the consent of a minor has no legal validity and violations may lead to serious penal consequences. Particular emphasis is being placed on sensitising adolescent boys and young men about relationships involving persons below 18 years of age. PRESS NOTE pocso English
The Hindi press note adds that the campaign is proposed to culminate around Gandhi Jayanti with student activities including prabhat pheris, street plays, drawing and painting competitions and other awareness programmes. PRESS NOTE pocso hindi
Chief Justice Arun Bhansali Stresses Need For Legal Awareness
Chief Justice Arun Bhansali said many young persons remain unaware that the law gives special protection to every person below 18 years of age. Conduct that may be perceived as harmless or consensual can have serious legal consequences when a child is involved, he observed.
He stressed that awareness of the POCSO Act is necessary not only for protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation but also for preventing young persons from becoming involved in criminal proceedings because of ignorance of the law. PRESS NOTE pocso English
Justice Arindam Sinha: Awareness Strongest Safeguard
In his message to children across Uttar Pradesh, Justice Arindam Sinha emphasised that awareness is an important safeguard against exploitation and violations of law.
He highlighted that every person below 18 years of age is treated as a child under the law and said lack of knowledge about the POCSO Act can have serious consequences for children, adolescents and their families. Students were urged to understand their rights and responsibilities, respect personal boundaries and seek assistance through legal aid and child-protection mechanisms whenever required. PRESS NOTE Report
Monitoring Committees Set Up In Every District
The campaign is being implemented through District Legal Services Authorities in coordination with educational institutions, district administrations, police authorities, child-protection agencies and other stakeholders.
District-level monitoring committees comprising the District Judge or DLSA Chairperson, District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have been constituted to supervise and coordinate the programme. PRESS NOTE Report
The Authority has also decided to designate nodal officers in schools across the districts so that the initiative continues beyond a one-time awareness programme. These officers are being sensitised about the objectives of the campaign and important provisions of the POCSO Act so that information can be disseminated effectively. PRESS NOTE Report
Campaign Expected To Reach Lakhs Of Students
UPSLSA expects the programme to reach lakhs of students in both urban and rural areas of Uttar Pradesh while also increasing awareness among parents, teachers and the wider community.
The Authority has described the campaign as preventive and educational in nature. Its stated objective is to provide children and adolescents with simple and accurate information about the law, protect children from exploitation and reduce the possibility of young persons becoming involved in criminal proceedings merely because they were unaware of the applicable legal provisions. PRESS NOTE Report
