Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: An Analysis in Light of International Human Rights Standards.

India introduced the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2012 to provide legal safeguards against child sexual abuse and exploitation. This paper examines the functioning of the Act, its alignment with international human rights instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and areas requiring improvement. The study includes a year-wise analysis of NCRB data, key judicial decisions, comparative law insights from other jurisdictions, and practical recommendations for enhancing child protection mechanisms.