Quiz

 

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

1. Background and Need for the Amendment

• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 was the main law governing children in conflict with law and those in need of care.
• However, the law was criticized after the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case, in which one of the main accused was a juvenile aged 17 years.
• There was widespread public outcry for more stringent laws for juveniles, especially those committing heinous crimes.
• This led to the formulation and passing of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which came into force on 15th January 2016.

 

2. New Classification of Offences under the 2015 Act

To ensure better legal handling, the Act classified offences into:

1.    Petty Offences – Punishment less than 3 years.

2.    Serious Offences – Punishment between 3 to 7 years.

3.    Heinous Offences – Punishment more than 7 years (like rape, murder, terrorism).

This classification helps the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in deciding how to handle each case based on its severity.

 

3. Treatment of Juveniles Aged 16–18 in Heinous Crimes

• The most important change in the 2015 Act is the provision to try juveniles aged between 16 and 18 as adults in case of heinous offences.
• But this decision is not automatic—a Preliminary Assessment is conducted by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to determine:
• The mental capacity of the child to commit the offence.
• The physical ability of the child to commit the offence.
• Whether the child understood the consequences of the act.
• The circumstances under which the offence took place.

 If found capable, the case is transferred to the Children’s Court, which may try the juvenile as an adult.

 

 4. Role of Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)

• The JJB consists of:
• A Metropolitan or Judicial Magistrate.
• Two social workers, including at least one woman.
• Main Functions:
• Conduct preliminary assessment in heinous offences for juveniles aged 16–18.
• Decide whether to retain the case or refer it to Children’s Court.
• Ensure child-friendly procedures and protect the child’s rights throughout.

 

 5. Role of Children’s Court

• After a case is transferred by the JJB, the Children’s Court:
• Reviews the JJB’s preliminary assessment.
• Decides whether the child should be tried as an adult or juvenile.
• If the child is tried as an adult:
• A trial similar to that for adults is conducted.
• However, the court must still ensure the process is child-sensitive and fair.
• If the child is not suitable for adult trial, the case is sent back to the JJB for disposal under the juvenile justice procedure.

 

 6. Protection and Rehabilitation Measures

• The Act emphasizes that even if a juvenile is tried as an adult, the focus should still be on:
• Reformation
• Rehabilitation
• Reintegration into society
• Institutions like Observation Homes, Special Homes, and Rehabilitation Centres are provided for care and skill development.

 

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 7. Why This Change Matters

• It aims to address the gap in earlier laws where mature juveniles involved in heinous crimes got away with lenient punishment.
• Now, the law acknowledges that some children aged 16–18 may be mature enough to understand and plan serious crimes.
• Yet, it retains the child rights perspective, giving them a chance to reform instead of purely punishing.

 

8. Balancing Accountability with Child Rights

• The Act tries to create a balance between:
• Accountability for heinous crimes by older juveniles.
• Protection and welfare for those who can still be reformed.
• Juveniles below 16 are still not tried as adults, regardless of the crime committed.

 

 

 Summary for Quick Revision

Topic	Key Points
Age Group	Under 18 years
Heinous Offence	Crime with 7+ years punishment
Age 16–18	Can be tried as adult after JJB assessment
JJB	Conducts preliminary assessment
Children’s Court	Tries juvenile as adult if JJB recommends
Focus	Rehabilitation + Reform, not just punishment

 

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 Multiple Choice Questions

1.    The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 came into force on:

 

a)    1st January 2015

 

b)    15th January 2016

 

c)    31st December 2015

 

d)    2nd October 2015

Answer -  b)

 

2.    The JJ Act, 2015 replaced which earlier Act?

 

a)    Child Protection Act, 1998

 

b)    Juvenile Justice Act, 1986

 

c)    Juvenile Justice Act, 2000

 

d)    POCSO Act, 2012

Answer -  c)

 

3.    The JJ Act, 2015 is applicable to:

 

a)    Children below 16

 

b)    Children below 18

 

c)    All minors

 

d)    Only orphans

Answer -  b)

 

4.    Who is considered a “child in conflict with law”?

 

a)    Child witness in a crime

 

b)    Child affected by war

 

c)    Child accused of an offence

 

d)    Child of a convict

Answer -  c)

 

5.    A “child in need of care and protection” includes:

 

a)    A street child

 

b)    A trafficked child

 

c)    A child abandoned by family

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

6.    Who is responsible for implementation of the JJ Act at the district level?

 

a)    High Court

 

b)    Child Welfare Committee

 

c)    District Magistrate

 

d)    Police Station

Answer -  c)

 

7.    Under the JJ Act, who appoints members of the Juvenile Justice Board?

 

a)    Chief Justice

 

b)    President of India

 

c)    State Government

 

d)    Central Government

Answer -  c)

 

8.    Observation Homes are meant for:

 

a)    Abandoned infants

 

b)    Orphans

 

c)    Children in conflict with law

 

d)    Street children

Answer -  c)

 

9.    The minimum age for a child to be tried as an adult in heinous crimes is:

 

a)    14 years

 

b)    15 years

 

c)    16 years

 

d)    17 years

Answer -  c)

 

10. The Juvenile Justice Act was amended primarily in response to:

 

a)    The 2008 Mumbai attacks

 

b)    The Nirbhaya case (2012)

 

c)    POCSO Act implementation

 

d)    National Child Policy 2013

Answer -  b)

 

11. Offences under the JJ Act are classified into how many types?

 

a)    Two

 

b)    Three

 

c)    Four

 

d)    Five

Answer -  b)

 

12. Petty offences are punishable with:

 

a)    Less than 3 years

 

b)    3 to 7 years

 

c)    7 years and above

 

d)    Life imprisonment

Answer -  a)

 

13. Serious offences are those with punishment of:

 

a)    Below 3 years

 

b)    Exactly 5 years

 

c)    3 to 7 years

 

d)    Above 10 years

Answer -  c)

 

14. Heinous offences refer to crimes punishable with:

 

a)    Minimum 7 years

 

b)    Maximum 5 years

 

c)    Only life imprisonment

 

d)    Fine of more than ₹1 lakh

Answer -  a)

 

15. Rape and murder fall under which category?

 

a)    Petty

 

b)    Serious

 

c)    Heinous

 

d)    None

Answer -  c)

 

16. The purpose of classifying offences is to:

 

a)    Increase crime data

 

b)    Decide bail conditions

 

c)    Guide legal procedures

 

d)    Impose fines

Answer -  c)

 

17. A petty offence by a child is generally handled by:

 

a)    High Court

 

b)    Police directly

 

c)    Juvenile Justice Board

 

d)    Panchayat

Answer -  c)

 

18. In serious offences, the child is:

 

a)    Sent to jail

 

b)    Tried as an adult

 

c)    Not liable at all

 

d)    Handled by JJB with inquiry

Answer -  d)

 

19. Heinous offence committed by a 15-year-old will be tried:

 

a)    As an adult

 

b)    As a juvenile

 

c)    In civil court

 

d)    None of these

Answer -  b)

 

20. Which of the following is not a heinous offence?

 

a)    Gang rape

 

b)    Theft

 

c)    Murder

 

d)    Kidnapping for ransom

Answer -  b)

 

21. Who heads the Juvenile Justice Board?

 

a)    A District Judge

 

b)    A Judicial Magistrate

 

c)    Child Welfare Officer

 

d)    DM

Answer -  b)

 

22. How many members are on the JJB?

 

a)    2

 

b)    3

 

c)    4

 

d)    5

Answer -  b)

 

23. At least one member of the JJB must be:

 

a)    A police officer

 

b)    A psychologist

 

c)    A woman

 

d)    A social activist

Answer -  c)

 

24. Preliminary assessment is conducted for:

 

a)    Petty offences only

 

b)    Children in need of care

 

c)    Heinous offences by 16–18-year-olds

 

d)    Adults committing offences with minors

Answer -  c)

 

25. Preliminary assessment is done to evaluate:

 

a)    Legal costs

 

b)    Risk of escape

 

c)    Mental and physical capacity of child

 

d)    Financial status of family

Answer -  c)

 

26. If a child is found fit for adult trial, the case is transferred to:

 

a)    Supreme Court

 

b)    District Court

 

c)    Children’s Court

 

d)    Gram Sabha

Answer -  c)

 

27. Children’s Court is meant to:

 

a)    Try parents of child offenders

 

b)    Hear bail petitions only

 

c)    Try juvenile cases as adults

 

d)    Cancel adoption

Answer -  c)

 

28. Even in adult trial, the court must ensure:

 

a)    Fast-track sentencing

 

b)    Deterrence

 

c)    Child-friendly procedures

 

d)    Immediate punishment

Answer -  c)

 

29. If the child is not suitable for adult trial, the Children’s Court will:

 

a)  Acquit the child

 

b)    Send back the case to JJB

 

c) Transfer to civil court

 

d) Close the case

Answer -  b)

 

30. The JJB can order the child to be placed in:

 

a)    Central jail

 

b)    Detention centre

 

c)    Observation home

 

d)    NGO shelter

Answer -  c)

 

31. The JJ Act focuses on:

 

a)    Maximum punishment

 

b)    Strict police action

 

c)    Reform and rehabilitation

 

d)    Child labour regulation

Answer -  c)

 

32. A child must not be placed in a police lock-up:

 

a)    For serious crimes

 

b)    Under any circumstances

 

c)    If female

 

d)    If under 12

Answer -  b)

 

33. Special Homes are established for:

 

a)    Abandoned children

 

b)    Convicted juveniles

 

c)    Foster care

 

d)    Disabled children

Answer -  b)

 

34. Foster care under JJ Act aims to:

 

a)    Provide legal education

 

b)    Rehabilitate child temporarily

 

c)    Deport child

 

d)    Punish foster families

Answer -  b)

 

35. Rehabilitation includes:

 

a)    Skill training

 

b)    Education

 

c)    Counselling

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

36. Child Welfare Committees are constituted at:

 

a)    Block level

 

b)    District level

 

c)    Taluka level

 

d)    State level

Answer -  b)

 

37. A child under 7 years is:

 

a)    Fully criminally liable

 

b)    Partially liable

 

c)    Not criminally liable

 

d)    Subject to court trial

Answer -  c)

 

38. JJ Act promotes:

 

a)    Corporal punishment

 

b)    Child labour

 

c)    Institutional care only

 

d)    Adoption and reintegration

Answer -  d)

 

39. JJ Act also covers:

 

a)    Foreign children

 

b)    Refugees

 

c)    Abandoned children

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

40. CWC must dispose of cases within:

 

a)    12 months

 

b)    24 hours

 

c)    4 months

 

d)    6 months

Answer -  d)

 

41. The final goal of the JJ Act is:

 

a)    Strict imprisonment

 

b)    Social exclusion

 

c)    Reintegration into society

 

d)    Public shaming

Answer -  c)

 

42. Adoption under JJ Act is regulated by:

 

a)    High Court

 

b)    District Collector

 

c)    Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

 

d)    UNICEF

Answer -  c)

 

43. Child-friendly procedures include:

 

a)    No handcuffs

 

b)    Sitting with police

 

c)    Public hearings

 

d)    Harsh questioning

Answer -  a)

 

44. Rehabilitation card includes:

 

a)    Medical record

 

b)    Education and skill details

 

c)    Counseling history

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

45. A child’s right to privacy must be protected under:

 

a)    JJ Rules

 

b)    Indian Evidence Act

 

c)    IPC

 

d)    POCSO

Answer -  a)

 

46. JJ Act was enacted by:

 

a)    State Government

 

b)    High Courts

 

c)    Parliament of India

 

d)    National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

Answer -  c)

 

47. JJ Act gives primacy to:

 

a)    Criminal law principles

 

b)    Rehabilitation and welfare

 

c)    Jail system

 

d)    Retribution

Answer -  b)

 

48. The minimum age for adoption under JJ Act is:

 

a)    3 months

 

b)    6 months

 

c)    1 year

 

d)    No fixed age

Answer -  d)

 

49. JJ Act is aligned with:

 

a)    UNCRC

 

b)    CEDAW

 

c)    WHO Charter

 

d)    Hague Convention

Answer -  a)

 

50. The major principle guiding the Act is:

 

a)    Punishment

 

b)    Revenge

 

c)    Best interest of the child

 

d)    Profit motive

Answer -  c)

 

51. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) must consist of how many members?

 

a)    3

 

b)    5

 

c)    6

 

d)    7

Answer -  b)

 

52. The tenure of a CWC member is:

 

a)    2 years

 

b)    3 years

 

c)    5 years

 

d)    6 years

Answer -  c)

 

53. The CWC must conduct an inquiry and pass a final order within:

 

a)    4 months

 

b)    60 days

 

c)    3 months

 

d)    6 months

Answer -  d)

 

54. One of the key functions of the CWC is to:

 

a)    Conduct medical tests

 

b)    Place child in jail

 

c)    Declare a child legally free for adoption

 

d)    Report parents to police

Answer -  c)

 

55. Which authority decides the fit facility for children in need of care?

 

a)    Police

 

b)    CWC

 

c)    District Magistrate

 

d)    Juvenile Court

Answer -  b)

 

56. Which institution is responsible for temporary housing and rehabilitation of children?

 

a)    Special Home

 

b)    Police Lock-up

 

c)    Shelter Home

 

d)    Correctional Centre

Answer -  c)

 

57. Foster care under the Act is meant for:

 

a)    Lifelong rehabilitation

 

b)    Group punishment

 

c)    Short-term family-based care

 

d)    Legal guardianship only

Answer -  c)

 

58. Which of the following is a principle under rehabilitation and reintegration?

 

a)    Punishment-based approach

 

b)    Institutionalization only

 

c)    Individual care plan

 

d)    Generalized orders

Answer -  c)

 

59. A child leaving institutional care is provided with:

 

a)    Police protection

 

b)    Aftercare support

 

c)    Lifetime monitoring

 

d)    Parental supervision

Answer -  b)

 

60. A rehabilitation card contains details like:

 

a)    Crime details

 

b)    School punishment records

 

c)    Education, skills, health status

 

d)    Family income

Answer -  c)

 

61. Adoption under the JJ Act is governed by:

 

a)    CWC

 

b)    Family Court

 

c)    Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

 

d)    Ministry of Education

Answer -  c)

 

62. Children who can be adopted under this Act include:

 

a)    Orphans

 

b)    Surrendered children

 

c)    Abandoned children

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

63. An abandoned child is legally free for adoption after:

 

a)    15 days

 

b)    30 days of no claim

 

c)    90 days with a medical report

 

d)    Immediate declaration

Answer -  b)

 

64. The eligibility for prospective adoptive parents includes:

 

a)    Married couples only

 

b)    At least one biological child

 

c)    Capability to provide upbringing

 

d)    No criminal record in last year

Answer -  c)

 

65. Who declares a child “legally free for adoption”?

 

a)    Adoption agency

 

b)    Local police

 

c)    CWC

 

d)    District Judge

Answer -  c)

 

66. Inter-country adoption is guided under:

 

a)    Hague Convention

 

b)    UNICEF Convention

 

c)    JJ Act Part IV

 

d)    Domestic Law only

Answer -  a)

 

67. Adoption regulations are framed by:

 

a)    Supreme Court

 

b)    CARA

 

c)    Ministry of Education

 

d)    Police Department

Answer -  b)

 

68. Surrendered children must be given time for reconsideration for:

 

a)    10 days

 

b)    30 days

 

c)    60 days

 

d)    90 days

Answer -  b)

 

69. What is the maximum age for adopting a child aged below 4 years?

 

a)    40 years

 

b)    45 years

 

c)    50 years

 

d)    55 years

Answer -  b)

 

70. The JJ Act ensures adoption is done:

 

a)    Based on religion

 

b)    Through a public auction

 

c)    In the best interest of the child

 

d)    For the benefit of the agency

Answer -  c)

 

71. The JJ Act gives primacy to:

 

a)    Institutionalization

 

b)    Family-based care

 

c)    Imprisonment

 

d)    Community policing

Answer -  b)

 

72. Which body oversees the proper implementation of JJ Act at national level?

 

a)    Ministry of Law

 

b)    National Commission for Women

 

c)    NCPCR

 

d)    NHRC

Answer -  c)

 

73. Who has the power to inspect child care institutions?

 

a)    Police constable

 

b)    Magistrate

 

c)    Inspection Committee under JJ Rules

 

d)    Teachers' Union

Answer -  c)

 

74. The Act prohibits disclosure of:

 

a)    Child’s identity in media

 

b)    Offence committed

 

c)    School attended

 

d)    Parental names

Answer -  a)

 

75. Every child care institution must be:

 

a)    Privately funded

 

b)    Government-run only

 

c)    Registered under the JJ Act

 

d)    Controlled by local politicians

Answer -  c)

 

76. Non-registration of a child care institution is:

 

a)    Permitted for NGOs

 

b)    Not punishable

 

c)    A criminal offence

 

d)    Subject to state exception

Answer -  c)

 

77. Which of the following are prohibited under JJ Act?

 

a)    Solitary confinement

 

b)    Corporal punishment

 

c)    Use of handcuffs

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

78. Which section of JJ Act deals with offences against children?

 

a)    Section 20

 

b)    Section 75

 

c)    Section 41

 

d)    Section 27

Answer -  b)

 

79. The Act provides protection against which type of assault?

 

a)    Physical

 

b)    Emotional

 

c)    Sexual

 

d)    All of the above

Answer -  d)

 

80. A child found working in bonded labour is covered under:

 

a) Labour Act

 

b) Only POCSO

 

c) JJ Act as child in need of care

 

d) IPC Section 302

Answer -  c)