India’s Child Marriage Crisis Is Far From Over, Latest Data Reveals
Progress Has Been Made, But Millions of Girls Remain Vulnerable to Early Marriage Across Several States
India has made notable progress in reducing child marriage over the past three decades, yet the practice remains deeply entrenched in several regions, according to recent government and survey data. While national rates have declined significantly, experts warn that the pace of improvement is not sufficient to eliminate child marriage in the near future, leaving millions of girls at risk of losing educational, economic, and health opportunities.
National Decline Masks Persistent Challenges
Recent findings from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) indicate that 20.1% of women aged 20–24 were married before the legal age of 18, an improvement from 23.3% recorded in NFHS-5 (2019–21). While the decline is encouraging, it still means that roughly one in five young women experienced child marriage.
Long-term studies show that child marriage among girls in India fell from nearly 49% in 1993 to about 22% by 2021. However, researchers estimate that more than 13 million young women alive today were married as children, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
West Bengal, Jharkhand Among Worst-Affected States
The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report highlights significant regional disparities. West Bengal recorded the highest proportion of girls marrying before the age of 18, followed by Jharkhand and several other states where poverty, social norms, and educational barriers continue to drive early marriages.
Data also indicate that child marriage remains considerably more prevalent in rural India than in urban areas. Girls from poorer households and those with little or no education face the greatest risk. Nearly half of girls with no schooling are married before turning 18, compared with much lower rates among those receiving secondary education or higher.
Government Pushes ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’
Recognizing the continuing challenge, the Union Government has intensified efforts through the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign. The initiative aims to reduce child marriage prevalence by 10% and ultimately make India child-marriage-free by 2030. Authorities report that thousands of child marriages have been prevented through awareness campaigns, community monitoring, and the appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers across the country.
Some regions have reported notable successes. Balod district in Chhattisgarh was declared India’s first child-marriage-free district in 2025, while several village panchayats in other states have adopted similar commitments.
Why Child Marriage Continues
Experts identify multiple factors behind the persistence of child marriage:
- Poverty and economic insecurity.
- School dropouts among adolescent girls.
- Social pressure and traditional customs.
- Concerns about family honor and safety.
- Limited awareness of legal consequences.
- Gender inequality and restricted opportunities for girls.
Recent reports from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu show that authorities continue to intervene in hundreds of attempted child marriages each year, suggesting that the practice remains widespread despite legal prohibitions.
Consequences for Girls and Society
Child marriage is closely linked to school dropout rates, adolescent pregnancy, poor maternal health outcomes, domestic violence, and reduced economic participation. UNICEF and public health experts warn that girls who marry early are significantly less likely to complete their education and more likely to experience long-term health and financial disadvantages.
Beyond individual harm, child marriage also affects national development by limiting women’s workforce participation, reducing earning potential, and perpetuating cycles of poverty across generations.
The Road Ahead
Although India has achieved substantial progress compared to previous decades, recent data make it clear that the child marriage crisis is far from resolved. Continued investment in girls’ education, stronger enforcement of child marriage laws, community awareness programs, and economic support for vulnerable families will be essential if the country is to meet its goal of ending child marriage by 2030.
India has reduced child marriage rates significantly, but recent data show that one in five young women were still married before 18, highlighting persistent challenges despite government efforts.
