Child Pornography Provisions

7.1 2019 Amendment Strengthened These

The POCSO (Amendment) Act 2019 significantly enhanced Section 15:

Section 15 — Punishment for storage (post-2019):

Conduct	Punishment
Stores child sexual abuse material (CSAM) for commercial purposes or distribution	RI min 3 years — may extend to 5 years + fine
Fails to delete/destroy/report CSAM to authorities even though in possession	₹5,000 fine (first); ₹10,000 (subsequent)
Transmits, distributes, or shows CSAM	RI min 3 years — may extend to 5 years + fine

The Ministry of Home Affairs and NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) operate a portal for reporting child pornography — linked to Interpol for international CSAM.

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