Government accords highest priority for ensuring safety and security of - 12th August 2026 - Ministry of Women and Child Development - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary This report outlines the Government of India’s initiatives to ensure child safety through the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and its subsequent amendments. It details the implementation of a child-friendly legal framework, the introduction of "Support Persons" to assist victims, and the deployment of a real-time tracking portal. The information was presented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Rajya Sabha on August 12, 2026.

Key Points / Main Content

Legislative Framework and Amendments

• POCSO Act, 2012: Established to safeguard individuals under 18 years of age against sexual abuse and harassment.
• 2019 Amendment: Introduced more stringent punishments, including the death penalty, to deter perpetrators and prevent sexual crimes against children.
• POCSO Rules, 2020: Developed to provide a child-friendly legal environment for investigation and trial processes.

Role of the Support Person

• Appointment: Under Rule 4 of the POCSO Rules 2020, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) can appoint a Support Person to assist a child during legal proceedings.
• Qualifications: Support Persons can be individuals or organizations recognized by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) or direct employees of the DCPU.
• Responsibilities: Tasks include facilitating access to support services, informing families of case progress, coordinating with authorities, and providing emotional and psychological support while maintaining confidentiality.

Monitoring and Guidelines

• Model Guidelines: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued guidelines under Section 39 of the Act regarding the selection, qualifications, and deployment of Support Persons.
• Selection Committee: Guidelines provide for a formal committee to empanel qualified Support Persons.
• POCSO Tracking Portal: A digital platform developed by the NCPCR for real-time tracking of sexual abuse cases and the appointment status of Support Persons.

Implementation and Oversight

• State Responsibility: State Governments and Union Territory Administrations are responsible for the identification, empanelment, and deployment of Support Persons.
• Ministry Oversight: The Ministry of Women and Child Development conducts review meetings, issues advisories, and undertakes capacity-building initiatives to ensure effective implementation by the States.

Impact Analysis

State Governments and Union Territory Administrations Impact They hold the primary responsibility for the practical execution of the POCSO Act and Rules within their jurisdictions. Action Required Must identify, recognize, and empanel Support Persons according to the prescribed framework and follow Ministry advisories and review outcomes.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Impact Acts as the central body for creating operational guidelines and monitoring tools. Action Required Maintain the POCSO Tracking Portal for real-time case monitoring and ensure the "Model Guidelines" are available for stakeholder use.

Child Welfare Committees (CWC) and District Child Protection Units (DCPU) Impact These local bodies are directly involved in the selection and appointment of assistance for child victims. Action Required CWCs must assess the necessity of Support Persons in individual cases, while DCPUs must employ or recognize suitable individuals and organizations to fill these roles.

Child Victims and Families Impact Beneficiaries of a legal framework designed to provide emotional support, psychological well-being, and streamlined communication during trials. Action Required Engage with appointed Support Persons to navigate the legal process and access necessary support services.