SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 8

Solution: The correct answer is The Act allows a child aged 16–18 accused of a heinous offence to be tried as an adult, subject to a preliminary assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board regarding the child's mental and physical capacity, understanding of consequences, and circumstances of the offence.
Explanation:
☛ The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 replaced the earlier Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 to comprehensively address offences committed by minors.
☛ Under Section 15 of the 2015 Act, in case of a heinous offence alleged to have been committed by a child who has completed 16 years of age, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) conducts a preliminary assessment.
☛ This preliminary assessment evaluates the child's mental and physical capacity, their ability to understand the consequences of the offence, and the circumstances in which the offence was committed.
☛ Based on this assessment, if the JJB concludes that the child should be dealt with as an adult, the case is transferred to the Children's Court for trial under Section 18(3).
☛ Even if tried as an adult, Section 21 explicitly prohibits awarding the death penalty or life imprisonment without possibility of release to a juvenile offender.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Under the 2015 Act, offences are categorized into three groups: Petty offences (imprisonment up to 3 years), Serious offences (imprisonment between 3 to 7 years), and Heinous offences (minimum imprisonment of 7 years or more).
☛ The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) consists of a Principal Magistrate (Judicial Magistrate First Class or Metropolitan Magistrate) and two social workers, of whom at least one must be a woman.
☛ The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) deals exclusively with children in need of care and protection, whereas the JJB deals with children in conflict with law.
☛ The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021 empowered the District Magistrate (including Additional District Magistrate) to issue adoption orders to ensure speedier processing.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which minimum punishment defines a 'heinous offence' under the JJ Act, 2015? → Imprisonment of 7 years or more
☛ Within how many months must the preliminary assessment under Section 15 of the JJ Act be completed? → Three months from the date of first production
☛ Which constitutional article prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in hazardous work? → Article 24
☛ Which body replaces civil courts for issuing adoption orders under the JJ Amendment Act, 2021? → District Magistrate
☛ Under Section 21 of the JJ Act, 2015, which two punishments cannot be awarded to a juvenile? → Death penalty and life imprisonment without possibility of release