The Age of Consent in India

At its core, the question of the age of consent is tied to questions of responsibility. It revolves around determining who the law recognizes as a responsible legal actor, and at what age can someone meaningfully act upon their agency in decisions concerning their sexuality. Analyzing the conception of female agency in arguments for and against a higher age of consent is, therefore, essential as it is linked to a broader societal understanding of gender roles and rights. It illustrates the balance that legal frameworkers intend to strike to protect women from exploitation and harm, while also respecting their sexual autonomy. This article aims to examine how both proponents and opponents of the age of consent controversy in India, both in the late nineteenth century and in contemporary debates, conceive female agency. To do so, it relies on secondary data, such as books, research articles, government documents and reports.