- 4 months of intrauterine life (IUL):
- Sex can be determined (Punishable under PCPNDT act).
- 7 months of IUL:
- Not viable below 7 months.
- Viability – talus appears.
- 1 year:
- Infanticide (Felicide – Killing of a baby < 1 year by either parent).
- 5 years:
- Liable for punishment for unlawful acts under the Indian Railways Act.
- 7 years:
- No criminal responsibility below 7 years (S.82, IPC).
- 7 to 12 years:
- Criminally responsible if the child has sufficient maturity of understanding and judgment (S.83, IPC).
- 12 years:
- Can give consent for medical examination.
- 15 years:
- Can work in a factory as an adult if found medically fit.
- Age of consent for sexual intercourse by a wife.
- 16 years:
- Kidnapping from lawful guardianship in the case of a boy under 16.
- 18 years:
- A person becomes a major.
- A girl can contract marriage.
- Juvenile in the case of a boy or girl up to 18 years.
- Can give consent to suffer any harm from an act not intended or not known to cause death or grievous hurt (S.87, IPC).
- Kidnapping from lawful guardianship in the case of a girl under 18.
- Procuring a girl below 18 years for prostitution.
- Age of consent for sexual intercourse by a girl.
- 21 years:
- Attainment of majority when a person is under the guardianship of the court of wards.
- Importing a girl from a foreign country for prostitution is considered kidnapping.
- A boy can contract marriage.