Enacted in 2012, the Act was amended in 2019, with the aim to curb child pornography and implement stringent measures against individuals guilty of committing or recording sexual crimes against children.

Supreme Court on September 23, 2024 held holds that storage and private viewing of child sexually exploitative abuse material an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The apex court suggested Parliament consider amending the term 'child pornography' with "child sexually abusive and exploitative material" by bringing changes in law, and asked the courts not to use the term 'child pornography'.

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday held that watching and downloading child pornography are offences under the POCSO Act and the information technology law. The apex court suggested Parliament consider amending the term ‘child pornography’ with “child sexually abusive and exploitative material” by bringing changes in law,

With its judgment, the two-judge bench set aside a Madras HC order quashing criminal proceedings against a man accused of downloading pornography involving children.

The Supreme Court will pronounce on Monday its verdict on a plea challenging a Madras High Court ruling that watching child pornography in private would not fall within the scope of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Supreme Court has called on Parliament to amend the POCSO Act, replacing 'child pornography' with 'child sexual exploitative and abusive material.' This decision overturns a Madras High Court ruling and emphasizes the need for more accurate terminology to reflect the severity of the offences.

The Supreme Court will pronounce on Monday its verdict on a plea challenging a Madras High Court ruling that watching child pornography in private would not fall within the scope of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The apex court set aside a Madras High Court order and held that "storage of such material, without deleting or without reporting the same, would indicate an intention to transmit."

The Supreme Court has urged Parliament to amend the POCSO Act, replacing 'child pornography' with 'child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM)' to better reflect the nature of the crime. The court also ruled that merely viewing or storing such material with intent to share or profit is an offence under the Act.