News- Despite being legally prohibited, child marriage remains a pervasive social challenge in India, impacting millions of young girls and boys across the country. In India, despite progress, 23% of women aged 20–24 were married before they turned 18 (National Family Health Survey-5, 2019–21). Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (A Pledge Towards Child Marriage-Free India).
What Is Child Marriage?
Child marriage, defined under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act is any union where the female/girl party is under 18 years and a male below 21 years of age, perpetuates cycles of poverty, gender inequality, and health risks, particularly in rural and tribal areas. Furthermore, child marriage directly amounts to child rape under Indian law.
As per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, any sexual act by a man with his wife who is below 18 years of age amounts to rape. The Supreme Court of India has further clarified that when the husband of a child bride commits penetrative sexual assault on her, it amounts to aggravated penetrative sexual assault, an offence punishable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
What has been the history of India’s fight against Child Marriage?
Pre-Independence Efforts- Efforts to curb child marriage in India began as early as the 19th century with social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule leading campaigns against the practice, resulting in the Age of Consent Act, 1891 and later the Child Marriage Restraint Act (Sarda Act) of 1929, which set the minimum marriage age at 14 for girls and 18 for boys.
Post-Independence Measures- Post-independence, the government raised these limits through the 1948 amendment (15 for girls), 1978 amendment (18 years for girls and 21 years for boys) and finally the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (18 for women, 21 for men).
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA)- The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 replaced the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 (Sarda Act), with the aim to prohibit rather than merely restrain child marriages while providing stronger protection and relief for victims. The Act clearly states that a “child” is a male under 21 years or female under 18 years. Child marriage involves either party being a child.
Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB)- Launched on November 27, 2024, the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB), also known as Child Marriage Free India, represents a bold national commitment by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to eradicate child marriages across the country. This mission is deeply aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.3, which aims to eliminate all harmful practices, including child, early, and forced marriages, by 2030.
The 100-Day Campaign: A Momentum-Building Drive Against Child Marriage- On December 4, 2025, a high-intensity 100-day special drive has been rolled out across all States and Union Territories, dedicating each month to a specific outreach.
What are the harmful impacts of Child Marriage?
- Violation of Child Rights: Child marriage violates the right to education, right to health and right to be safe from physical and mental violence, sexual abuse, rape, and sexual exploitation. It also robs the children of their right to freedom to choose their partner and life path.
- Social marginalisation and isolation: Early marriages deprive girls of their childhood and force them into social isolation. Similarly, boys who marry early are pressured to take on family responsibilities prematurely.
- Increases Illiteracy: Child brides are often taken out of school and not allowed to get further education. This increases the illiteracy in India.
- Breeds Intergenerational Cycle of Poverty: Child marriage negatively affects the economy and can lead to an intergenerational cycle of poverty. Girls and boys married as children more likely lack the skills, knowledge, and job prospects needed to lift their families out of poverty. Early marriage leads girls to have children earlier and more children over their lifetime, increasing economic burden on the household.
- Health Issues:
- Stunted Children: Children born to adolescent mothers have a greater possibility of seeing stunted growth (According to NFHS-5, prevalence of child stunting is 35.5%.).
- Premature Pregnancy: Child marriage leads to pregnancy at a younger age, with women having more than one child before their mind and bodies are ready.
- Maternal Mortality: Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die during childbirth or pregnancy. The leading cause of death for girls ages 15 to 19 around the world is pregnancy-related deaths
- Infant Mortality: Babies born to mothers younger than 20 have almost 75% higher death rates than babies born to mothers older than 20 years. The children who do make it are more likely to be born pre-mature and with a low birth weight.
- Mental health: Abuse and violence can lead to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and depression.
What are the reasons for prevalence of Child Marriage?
Child marriage has strong roots in culture, economics, and religion.
- Poverty: Poor Families ‘sell’ their children through marriage to pay off debts or to get out of the cycle of poverty.
- “Protecting” the Girl’s Sexuality: In some cultures, marrying a girl young is thought to “protect” the girl’s sexuality and the family’s honour.
- Customs and Traditions: The prevalence of customary practices like dowry also leads to an increase in child marriage. Generally, the amount of dowry rises with age of the girl (beyond a certain limit). So families prefer to marry their girls young.
- Security: Parents often marry their daughters off young to “secure” a good future for them. Abuse, rape, and other crimes against girls, also makes parents turn to child marriage as a way to protect their daughters.
- Discrimination based on gender: Child marriage is a manifestation of discrimination against girls and women. According to a UNICEF report on ‘Child Marriage and the Law‘, child marriage a major manifestation of gender based discrimination.
- Laxity in Implementation of Laws: Laxity in implementation of laws like the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006, non-registration of marriages, also increase the child marriage in India.
Conclusion
As millions participate in pledges, crucial efforts not only challenge deep-rooted social norms but also align with Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 and the vision of a Viksit Bharat. Sustained collective action, from government, communities, NGOs, and citizens, holds the promise of breaking cycles of inequality, ensuring every child’s right to education, health, and autonomy. With unwavering commitment, India can achieve a truly child marriage-free future, empowering generations of girls and boys to thrive.
