Why Ending Child Marriage in India Remains a Challenge Despite Falling Numbers

India has committed to ending child marriage by 2030 under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While official data shows a steady decline over the past two decades, the persistence of the practice across States and social groups reveals a complex gap between national commitments and local realities. The Union government’s recent push through the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” underscores both progress made and the scale of what remains undone.

India’s Commitment and the Declining Trend

India, as a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals, has pledged to eliminate child marriage by 2030. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) shows that the proportion of women aged 20–24 who were married before 18 fell from 47.4% in 2005–06 to 23.3% in 2019–21. This represents a significant reduction over 15 years and reflects improvements in schooling, health awareness, and targeted welfare schemes.

To reinvigorate momentum, the Union government marked the first anniversary of the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” with a 100-day nationwide awareness campaign, signalling renewed political focus on the issue.

Uneven Progress Across States

Despite national gains, child marriage remains unevenly distributed. Among women aged 18–29, the highest prevalence is reported in West Bengal, Bihar and Tripura. Close behind are Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

These variations underline how deeply local socio-economic conditions, cultural practices, and governance capacity influence outcomes, often overriding the presence of national schemes or laws.

The Poverty–Education–Marriage Link

Analysis by the UN Population Fund using NFHS data shows a strong correlation between child marriage, poverty, and lack of education. Around 40% of girls from the poorest households were married before 18, compared to just 8% from the richest quintile. Education makes an even starker difference: nearly half of girls with no schooling were married as children, against only 4% among those with higher education.

For many families facing economic insecurity, marrying off daughters early is seen as a way to reduce household costs and perceived social risks, reinforcing a cycle that policy interventions struggle to break.

Laws Exist, Enforcement Lags

The primary legal framework, the “Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006”, criminalises the practice and empowers authorities to intervene. However, data from the National Crime Records Bureau indicates infrequent use of the law and low conviction rates. Weak enforcement, social acceptance, and reluctance to criminalise family members limit its effectiveness.

The application of stricter laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has introduced further complications. Its zero-tolerance approach to underage sexual activity leaves little room for addressing consensual adolescent relationships, often deterring girls from seeking formal medical or legal help.

Health Risks and Unintended Consequences

Child marriage is closely linked to poor maternal and child health outcomes, including higher rates of anaemia, pregnancy complications, and infant mortality. Ironically, fear of harsh legal action has driven some underage girls to unregistered or unsafe healthcare providers, increasing health risks rather than reducing them.

This tension between protection and punishment highlights the need for sensitive, health-centred responses alongside legal deterrence.

Why Incentives Alone Are Not Enough

States like West Bengal, which offer cash incentives to keep girls in school, continue to report high child marriage rates. This suggests that financial schemes, while necessary, are insufficient on their own. Structural barriers—such as lack of safe transport, inadequate school infrastructure, absence of toilets, and concerns over safety—often push girls out of education during adolescence.

The Centre’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” campaign, critics argue, must do more to reach the most marginalised communities and address these practical constraints that determine whether girls stay in school.

Child Marriage and the SDG Agenda

According to Girls Not Brides, at least nine of the 17 SDGs cannot be achieved without ending child marriage, including goals related to health, education, gender equality, and poverty reduction. In India, the persistence of early marriage threatens progress across these interconnected domains.

Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice

Ending child marriage requires more than awareness drives or legal bans. It demands sustained investment in girls’ education, poverty alleviation, accessible healthcare, and gender equality, combined with community engagement that shifts social norms. Without addressing these underlying drivers, India risks falling short of its 2030 commitment—despite having the policies and laws formally in place.