Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign Targets Child Marriage Eradication

Despite being legally prohibited, child marriage remains a serious social challenge in India, affecting health, education, and gender equality outcomes. According to NFHS-5 (2019–21), nearly 23% of women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18. To address this entrenched issue, the Government of India has launched a comprehensive national mission aimed at prevention, enforcement, and social transformation.

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat: Vision and Targets

Launched on November 27, 2024, the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) campaign, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, aims to reduce the prevalence of child marriage by 10% by 2026 and make India completely child marriage-free by 2030. The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices, including child, early, and forced marriages. The campaign adopts a multi-sectoral approach involving education, health, law enforcement, and community institutions.

Legal Framework and Supreme Court Directions

Child marriage is defined under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, as a marriage where the girl is below 18 years or the boy below 21 years. Such marriages are prohibited and voidable, and in certain cases void ab initio. In October 2024, the Supreme Court of India issued comprehensive directions mandating full-time Child Marriage Prohibition Officers, prohibition of child betrothals, and stronger preventive mechanisms. The Court emphasised prevention, protection, and empowerment over punitive action alone.

Implementation Strategy and National Campaigns

The BVMB initiative is supported by a dedicated digital portal enabling real-time reporting and monitoring. A high-intensity 100-day nationwide campaign was rolled out on December 4, 2025, with coordinated awareness drives across schools, Anganwadis, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and civil society organisations. The programme prioritises 257 high-burden districts identified through NFHS data and integrates efforts with schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat was launched in November 2024.
• Child marriage is prohibited under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
• Sexual relations with a wife below 18 years amount to rape under Indian law.
• The campaign aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5.3.

Chhattisgarh’s Breakthrough and Local Achievements

Chhattisgarh has emerged as a national frontrunner in implementing the campaign. Balod district became India’s first child marriage-free district in 2025 after recording zero cases for two consecutive years across all local bodies. Building on this success, Surajpur district declared 75 village panchayats as child marriage-free on September 17, 2025. These achievements highlight the impact of sustained administrative vigilance, community participation, and grassroots awareness in advancing the goal of a child marriage-free India.