Jaya Jaitly Task Force

The Jaya Jaitly Task Force refers to a high-level government committee constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) of India in 2020, under the chairpersonship of social and political activist Jaya Jaitly. The task force was established to examine and review the legal age of marriage for women and to assess its implications on health, education, and empowerment. The formation of this task force marked a significant policy initiative within the broader framework of women’s rights and gender equality in India.

Background and Establishment

The Government of India announced the constitution of the Jaya Jaitly Task Force on 4 June 2020, following the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address in 2019, where he highlighted the need to reconsider the legal age of marriage for women in India. The legal age for marriage had long been 18 years for women and 21 years for men, as defined under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA).
However, debates over this age limit had persisted due to concerns regarding maternal health, teenage pregnancy, gender inequality, and women’s access to higher education and employment. The government’s decision to establish a task force aimed to adopt a scientific and evidence-based approach in re-evaluating these factors.
The committee was chaired by Jaya Jaitly, with Dr. Vinod Paul, Member of the NITI Aayog, and Rakesh Sarwal, then Secretary of the Department of Health Research, serving as official members. Representatives from the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Law and Justice, and Education were also part of the committee.

Objectives and Mandate

The primary objectives of the Jaya Jaitly Task Force were to undertake a comprehensive examination of multiple dimensions related to the age of marriage and its wider socio-economic and health implications. The key terms of reference included:

• Assessing the impact of the age of marriage on maternal and infant mortality rates, nutritional levels, and health outcomes for mothers and children.
• Studying the correlation between the age of marriage and women’s access to education, skill development, and labour market participation.
• Recommending the ideal minimum age of marriage for women, based on empirical evidence and global best practices.
• Reviewing existing laws and policies to suggest amendments, if required, to ensure gender parity.
• Proposing measures to increase public awareness and facilitate social acceptance of any recommended change.

Methodology and Consultations

To fulfil its mandate, the task force adopted a multi-dimensional research approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. It conducted consultations with state governments, civil society organisations, legal experts, public health specialists, and women’s rights activists. Data was gathered from sources such as the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), Sample Registration System (SRS), and National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
The committee also engaged with young women and community representatives across different socio-economic backgrounds to understand cultural and practical challenges associated with early marriage. The task force emphasised that the decision should not be viewed merely as a legal change but as part of a broader socio-economic reform aimed at empowering women and improving health outcomes.

Key Findings and Recommendations

After extensive research and deliberation, the Jaya Jaitly Task Force submitted its report to the Government of India in December 2020. Among its major recommendations were:

• Raising the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years, to bring parity with men and promote gender equality.
• Implementing this change through a phased awareness campaign to prepare communities for the transition.
• Strengthening enforcement mechanisms under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) and ensuring alignment with other personal laws.
• Enhancing educational opportunities for girls and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services to complement the legal change.
• Promoting nutritional awareness and preventive healthcare for adolescent girls to reduce maternal and neonatal health risks.

The task force underlined that increasing the marriage age would be effective only if accompanied by improvements in education, employment opportunities, and health infrastructure for women.

Implementation and Legislative Action

Following the task force’s submission, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to raise the legal age of marriage for women to 21 years in December 2021. To implement this recommendation, the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The bill aimed to amend the existing 2006 Act to uniformly set the marriageable age for both men and women at 21 years.
The bill was subsequently referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for further scrutiny amid public debate and political discussion. As of recent updates, deliberations continue over the practical and social implications of the proposed amendment, with the government expressing its commitment to building consensus and ensuring a smooth transition.

Criticism and Public Debate

The recommendations of the Jaya Jaitly Task Force received mixed reactions. Supporters argued that raising the age of marriage would:

• Encourage higher education among women.
• Improve maternal and child health outcomes.
• Help reduce early pregnancies and associated health risks.
• Contribute to greater gender parity in legal frameworks.

However, critics contended that:

• Legal enforcement alone might not prevent child marriages without addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education, and patriarchal norms.
• It could disproportionately criminalise young people from rural and marginalised communities who enter consensual marriages.
• Emphasis should instead be placed on education and empowerment rather than merely raising the legal age.

Feminist scholars and social activists highlighted the need for holistic reforms focusing on access to education, nutrition, and employment opportunities for girls.

Significance and Long-Term Implications

The Jaya Jaitly Task Force represents a crucial step in India’s ongoing efforts to align social policy with gender equality and human development goals. Its recommendations have catalysed national dialogue on the relationship between legal frameworks and women’s socio-economic empowerment.
In the long term, the task force’s work could influence public policy in areas such as maternal health, education, and population control, reinforcing India’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to gender equality (SDG 5) and good health and well-being (SDG 3).