What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They may ask which institution was directed to form the committee, offering 'Law Commission of India' or 'National Human Rights Commission' as distractors instead of the correct 'National Judicial Academy'. Another trap could be swapping the charges in the case (IPC 354(b) vs. IPC 376 read with POCSO).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Nodal Body: National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal. 2. Target this Legal Point: Distinction between 'Attempt' (punishable u/s 511 IPC) and 'Preparation' (generally not punishable) in criminal law. 3. Target this Committee: 5-member expert committee chaired by Justice Aniruddha Bose to draft sensitivity guidelines.

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News 6 of 31

Supreme Court Directs NJA to Form Expert Committee for Judicial Sensitivity Guidelines on POCSO Cases

Q: The Supreme Court has directed the Director of which institution to constitute an expert committee on judicial sensitivity?

National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal, The Supreme Court order specifically directs Justice Aniruddha Bose, the Director of the National Judicial Academy (NJA) in Bhopal, to constitute the committee. The NJA is the premier institution for judicial training in India.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the recent Supreme Court order on judicial sensitivity: 1. The Court was acting in a suo motu capacity, reviewing an order of the Allahabad High Court. 2. The Court praised the 2023 'Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' as an ideal model for the new guidelines. 3. The committee is tasked with compiling offensive words/expressions from different Indian languages to aid victims in narration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The SC took suo motu cognisance of a May 2025 Allahabad HC order. Statement 2 is incorrect: The SC actually criticized the 2023 Handbook as being too 'Harvard-oriented' and technical. Statement 3 is correct: The order explicitly asks the committee to identify and compile offensive words/expressions from different languages.

Q: As per the Supreme Court's February 2026 order, what is the preferred timeline for the expert committee to submit its report on judicial sensitivity guidelines?

Within 3 months, The Supreme Court order, dated February 10, 2026, urges the panel to 'complete its deliberations and submit a report, preferably within three months.' This is a specific timeline mentioned in the article.

Q: What is the primary rationale behind the Supreme Court's directive to create new guidelines for judicial sensitivity, as per the article?

To inculcate inherent sensitivity in judicial approach, as past efforts have not yielded expected results., The SC explicitly states that 'some action is required... to inculcate and nurture an inherent sensitivity' and that 'efforts thus far have not borne the fruit that was expected.' The other options are not the core objectives; the aim is behavioral and procedural reform within the existing legal framework.

Polity Social IssuesHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

18 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:Order Date: February 10, 2026Report Timeline: 3 months

Bodies:Supreme Court of IndiaNational Judicial Academy (NJA)Allahabad High Court

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.SC directs Justice Aniruddha Bose, Director of National Judicial Academy, to form a 5-member expert committee to draft guidelines for judicial sensitivity in sexual offence cases.

2.The order, dated Feb 10, 2026, stems from a suo motu case where the SC overturned an Allahabad HC order that reduced charges in a 2022 POCSO case from 'attempt to rape' to a lesser offence.

3.The committee is tasked to compile offensive vernacular expressions, learn from past judicial/administrative efforts, and submit a report within three months.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Supreme Court has directed the National Judicial Academy to constitute an expert committee to draft comprehensive guidelines to inculcate sensitivity in judges handling sexual offence cases. This move, acknowledging past efforts like the 2023 'Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' were too 'Harvard-oriented', aims to create India-centric, simple-language guidelines for judicial conduct.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Committee ChairpersonJustice Aniruddha Bose (NJA Director)

SC BenchCJI Surya Kant, JJ Joymalya Bagchi & N V Anjaria

Order DateFebruary 10, 2026

Report TimelinePreferably within 3 months

1-Minute Revision

›Committee Chairperson: Justice Aniruddha Bose (NJA Director)
›SC Bench: CJI Surya Kant, JJ Joymalya Bagchi & N V Anjaria
›Target this Nodal Body: National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal.
›Target this Legal Point: Distinction between 'Attempt' (punishable u/s 511 IPC) and 'Preparation' (generally not punishable) in criminal law.
›Target this Committee: 5-member expert committee chaired by Justice Aniruddha Bose to draft sensitivity guidelines.

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News Snapshot

⚖️

Judicial Sensitivity Reform

The Supreme Court has initiated a process to create formal, India-specific guidelines to end judicial insensitivity in trials involving sexual offences and vulnerable victims.

📜

Context: POCSO Case Review

The directive originates from the SC's suo motu review of an Allahabad HC order that diluted charges in a 2022 POCSO case from 'attempt to rape' to a lesser offence.

🗣️

Beyond 'Harvard Standards'

The SC criticized the 2023 'Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' as too technical and foreign-oriented, mandating new guidelines in simple, contextually Indian language.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

This SC intervention is the latest in a series of efforts to reform judicial language and attitude, following the 2023 handbook and directives like 'State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh'. It recognizes that top-down directives have not percolated to trial courts, where insensitive questioning and stereotyping often re-traumatize victims, especially in POCSO cases. The trigger was a specific Allahabad HC judgment that displayed a flawed understanding of 'attempt' vs. 'preparation' under IPC Section 376 read with POCSO.

Core Analysis & Implications

The move is significant for multiple reasons. First, it institutionalizes sensitivity training by mandating the NJA, the apex judicial training body, to lead the process. Second, it seeks to 'Indianize' guidelines by compiling offensive vernacular expressions, acknowledging linguistic diversity. Third, it underscores the judiciary's duty under Article 21 to ensure a fair and dignified trial process. The SC's critique of 'Harvard-oriented' complexity highlights a push for accessibility, ensuring guidelines are usable by laypersons and judges across all tiers.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The expert committee's report, expected within three months, will likely propose a mandatory training module for judges, standardized protocols for courtroom interactions with victims, and a glossary of prohibited language. Successful implementation will require the Supreme Court to issue binding directions under Article 142. This could lead to a permanent mechanism for monitoring judicial conduct in sensitive cases, potentially involving the National Judicial Data Grid to track outcomes.

Key Facts at a Glance

Committee ChairpersonJustice Aniruddha Bose (NJA Director)

SC BenchCJI Surya Kant, JJ Joymalya Bagchi & N V Anjaria

Order DateFebruary 10, 2026

Report TimelinePreferably within 3 months

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The Supreme Court has directed the Director of which institution to constitute an expert committee on judicial sensitivity?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, State PSC

Consider the following statements regarding the recent Supreme Court order on judicial sensitivity:

1. The Court was acting in a suo motu capacity, reviewing an order of the Allahabad High Court.

2. The Court praised the 2023 'Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' as an ideal model for the new guidelines.

3. The committee is tasked with compiling offensive words/expressions from different Indian languages to aid victims in narration.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

As per the Supreme Court's February 2026 order, what is the preferred timeline for the expert committee to submit its report on judicial sensitivity guidelines?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC

What is the primary rationale behind the Supreme Court's directive to create new guidelines for judicial sensitivity, as per the article?

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Supreme Court Directs NJA to Form Expert Committee for Judicial Sensitivity Guidelines on POCSO Cases

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Judicial Sensitivity Reform

Context: POCSO Case Review

Beyond 'Harvard Standards'

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance