Child Marriage in India: Gains, Gaps and Urgent Action
Indiadailyupdate.com – Child marriage has declined significantly in India over the past three decades, but millions of girls remain at risk as the 2030 global target to end the practice approaches. About one in three child brides worldwide is estimated to live in India, and around one in five Indian women aged 20 to 24 were married before turning 18.
India’s rate has fallen from more than 50 per cent in 1996 to just above 20 per cent. Progress has been linked to sustained work on education, health, nutrition, child protection and social support. However, national improvements do not reflect the unequal risks faced by girls in every state and community.
State-level action remains essential
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh account for more than half of child marriages recorded in the country. Rural areas, tribal communities and economically vulnerable households can face especially strong pressures that make early marriage more likely.
International Day of the Girl Child has renewed attention on the need to support adolescents with education, healthcare, skills and safe spaces. This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the importance of helping girls stay in school, make informed choices and participate in decisions about their futures.
“India has made important progress in advancing girls’ rights and reducing child marriage through sustained efforts across education, health and nutrition, child protection, and social protection,” UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said.
McCaffrey said progress can accelerate when investment in essential services is matched by efforts to strengthen girls’ voice, agency and participation. Girls who have confidence, practical skills and safe places to learn can contribute to stronger families and communities.
Poverty and inequality continue to drive risk
UNICEF estimates that India is home to more than 224 million women who were married as children. Globally, one girl is married every three seconds, demonstrating the scale and urgency of the challenge.
Puja Marwaha, chief executive of CRY-Child Rights and You, said the decline in early marriage should not lead to complacency. National averages can hide major differences between states and between rural and urban areas, leaving many girls exposed to unequal risks.
Marriage before adulthood can interrupt education, reduce economic independence and increase the health risks associated with adolescent pregnancy. It can also leave girls more vulnerable to domestic violence and reinforce poverty and gender inequality across generations.
The issue also affects boys, although girls bear the greater burden. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a marriage involving a girl below 18 or a boy below 21 is considered a child marriage. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, also treats sexual activity by a man with his wife when she is below 18 as rape.
Ravi Kant, national convenor at Just Rights for Children, said government schemes have helped reduce the practice, but poverty remains a powerful factor. Families struggling to meet basic needs may see early marriage as a response to financial insecurity, underlining the need for stronger social protection and continued access to schooling.
FAQ: Preventing early marriage in India
What is the legal age of marriage in India? A girl must be at least 18 years old and a boy must be at least 21 years old. A marriage involving someone below these ages falls under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
How can communities help prevent early marriage? Communities can support girls’ education, identify children at risk, connect families with welfare schemes and report suspected cases to local child-protection authorities or the police.
Why is keeping girls in school important? Continued education can expand skills, confidence and future economic opportunities, while reducing the pressures that can lead families to arrange a marriage before adulthood.
