New Delhi: India has made progress in tackling child marriage, but the practice continues to affect millions of girls, with experts calling for stronger, targeted efforts to protect children and ensure they can complete their education and make decisions about their futures.

According to UNICEF and government data cited in a PTI report, one in five young women in India was married before the age of 18. India accounts for approximately one in three child brides worldwide, highlighting the scale of the challenge despite a substantial decline in the national prevalence rate.

The issue was highlighted on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11, as experts stressed that the national average can conceal significant differences between states and between rural and urban communities.

Five states account for more than half of child marriages

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh account for more than half of the child marriages in India, according to UNICEF and government data cited in the report.

Kerala and Lakshadweep are among the states and Union territories reported to be performing better on the issue.

Puja Marwaha, chief executive officer of CRY–Child Rights and You, said the decline in child marriage was encouraging, but warned that around one in five young women still experienced marriage before adulthood.

She said the national average masked significant differences across states and between rural and urban areas, making targeted interventions essential.

The figures underline why progress at the national level does not necessarily mean that girls in every community face the same risks.

Poverty and limited opportunities keep girls at risk

Experts have identified poverty, social norms and limited access to opportunities as factors that can contribute to child marriage.

Ravi Kant, national convenor at Just Rights for Children, said child marriage remained prevalent among poorer households. He argued that economic hardship could lead some parents to marry off their daughters early because they struggle to provide for them.

Kant said government welfare schemes and community-level interventions would be important in addressing these pressures.

Child marriage can interrupt a girl's education, restrict her future employment opportunities and reduce her control over decisions affecting her life. It is also associated with increased risks from early pregnancy, domestic violence and long-term health consequences.

These effects can reinforce cycles of poverty and gender inequality, making it harder for girls to access education, financial independence and healthcare.

UNICEF calls for sustained investment in girls

UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said India had made important progress in advancing girls' rights and reducing child marriage through sustained efforts in education, health, nutrition, child protection and social protection.

She said further progress would require continued investment throughout adolescence so that girls could remain in school, stay healthy and safe, develop skills and access opportunities.

McCaffrey also stressed that girls should be recognised as active contributors to their families and communities, rather than only as beneficiaries of development programmes.

Marwaha said the national trend was moving in the right direction, but eliminating child marriage would require action tailored to the communities and geographical areas where the practice remained prevalent.

What does Indian law say about child marriage?

Under India's Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, a child is defined as a male who has not completed 21 years of age or a female who has not completed 18 years of age. The law provides a framework to prevent child marriages and address their legal consequences.

The PTI report also notes that, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, sexual intercourse by a man with his wife when she is below 18 years of age falls within the legal definition of rape. The precise legal consequences can depend on the circumstances and applicable provisions.

India's efforts to address child marriage date back to social reform movements in the 19th century. Reformers including Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule campaigned against harmful practices affecting women and girls.

The Age of Consent Act, 1891, and the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, were among the earlier legislative measures. The minimum marriage age was subsequently raised to 18 for women and 21 for men.

In 2024, the government launched the Child Marriage Free India campaign, aligned with efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating harmful practices, including child, early and forced marriage, by 2030.

Community intervention remains important

Just Rights for Children said it was working with panchayats and government bodies to prevent child marriages. Kant said interventions included obtaining undertakings from parents and pursuing legal action, including registering first information reports where appropriate.

Experts say laws are important, but their effectiveness depends on whether girls and families can access protection in practice. Early intervention, continued schooling, economic support for vulnerable households and community awareness can all help reduce the risk of child marriage.

Marwaha said India had several laws to protect children, but the challenge was translating those legal safeguards into everyday reality for girls.

Why the 2030 target remains a challenge

India's falling child marriage rate demonstrates that sustained policy measures and social change can reduce the prevalence of the practice. However, the concentration of child marriages in a handful of states and the continued vulnerability of poorer communities show why national figures alone do not tell the whole story.

Three issues will be central to further progress:

  • Targeted action: States and districts with a higher prevalence need focused prevention efforts rather than relying only on nationwide averages.
  • Economic security and education: Helping girls remain in school and supporting households facing financial hardship can reduce pressures that contribute to early marriage.
  • Enforcement and community engagement: Legal protection needs to be accompanied by early reporting, effective intervention and changes in social attitudes that normalise child marriage.

The 2030 deadline is approaching, and the scale of the challenge means progress will depend on reaching girls who remain most vulnerable. Reducing the national rate is important, but the broader goal is to ensure that every girl can continue her education, access healthcare and decide when and whom to marry.