India’s Supreme Court recently told authorities that children need sex education well before Class 9. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe noted that adolescents should learn about puberty changes and “the care and cautions to be taken in relation thereto” at a younger age.

The court made this remark in a case involving a 15-year-old accused of rape and sexual assault, granting him bail but stressing that early sex education could help prevent such offences.

But does that mean India is ready for classroom sex-ed from the middle grades? The question is far from settled, given how the topic is entangled with taboos, politics and practical hurdles.

WHY EARLY SEX EDUCATION MATTERS FOR INDIAN YOUTH

One big reason the court is pushing for early lessons is the worrying rise in chi

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