Child marriage is a social evil and is an illegal that hampers girls' education, protection, health and development, and prevents them from realising their dreams. It is necessary to make every possible effort against child marriage by ensuring no child marriage takes place and all children are provided education, protection and safe environment. Child marriages - Status in India When a girl under the age of 18 years or a boy who is under the age of 21 years is married, it is called child marriage. If an adult man (over the age of 21 years) marries a girl who is under 18 years, such a marriage is also called a child marriage. Child marriage is a cognizable and non-bailable offence. While there is a drop in the overall prevalence of child marriage over the years, it still remains high. The National Family Health Survey - 5 (2019-21) revealed that, in India, 23.3% of women (between the age of 20-24 years) were married before they turned 18. The Child Marriage Free Bharat campaign launched during 2025 aims to reduce child marriages from 23.3% (NFHS-5) to 10% by 2025 and make India child marriage free by 2030 Every child marriage, whether solemnised before or after the commencement of the Act, is voidable at the option of the contracting party who was a child at the time of the marriage: Provided that a petition for annulling a child marriage by a decree of nullity may be filed in the district court only by a contracting party to the marriage who was a child at the time of the marriage. If a girl turns 18, she can still get her marriage cancelled within 2 years of turning 18. This means that she can get her marriage cancelled before she turns 20 years of age. Every child bride has the right to maintenance and residence until her remarriage. Every child borne out of child marriage is a legitimate child and has the right to maintenance, succession etc. Ill effects of child marriage Child Marriage leads to loss of childhood and personal safety, health hazards and disempowerment The consequences of child marriage Include early pregnancy, maternal and neonatal mortality, child health problem, education setbacks, lower employment and livelihood prospect and exposure to violence and abuse. Child marriage leads to child rape. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 stipulates that sexual intercourse or sexual act by a man with his own wife who is below 18 years of age, is rape. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has also held that if the husband of a girl child commits penetrative sexual assault on his wife, he commits aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012. Who can report or complain about a child marriage? Anyone who has reason to believe that a child marriage has taken place or is going to take place, can complain. Where to complain about a child marriage? Child marriage can be reported to: Police Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO) Child Welfare Committee District Magistrate Court A child can approach district court for the cancellation of the marriage. How to stop a child marriage Spread awareness among the parents and the community about the ill effects of child marriage Make children aware of their rights Sensitize the leaders of the community to raise voice against child marriage Strengthen village level child protection and welfare committee Report any incidence of child marriage A child marriage can be stopped by obtaining an 'injunction order' (stop the child marriage order) from the court. An 'injunction order' (stop the child marriage order) can be obtained from the court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class or Metropolitan Magistrate. In case, a child marriage has been arranged or is about to be conducted then the court may issue an interim injunction order to stop such child marriage. Punishment related to child marriages Who can be punished for conducting child marriage? People who can be punished for conduct of child marriage include: Any man above twenty one years of age who marries a girl below eighteen years of age Any person who perform or conducts such child marriage such as priest Persons/organisations who promote or permit child marriage such as parents/guardians/relatives/neighbours/middleman etc. Any person who solemnizes a child marriage even after an injunction order has been passed by the court What is the punishment for conduct of child marriage? Whoever performs, conducts, directs or abets any child marriage shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years and shall be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees unless he proves that he had reasons to believe that the marriage was not a child marriage. Source : Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal