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Home / IAS Preparation / Child Marriage In India

Child Marriage in India: Causes, Impacts & Reforms

Last Updated on Mar 31, 2025
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Child marriage in India has been a social evil for centuries. The practice of marrying off young girls, some even before they attain puberty, has deep roots in Indian history. Though there have been movements against child marriage over the years, it continues to be prevalent in parts of India. 

This article is beneficial for students preparing for the UPSC IAS exam and UPSC History Optional exam.

History of Child Marriage

Here is a look at the history of child marriage in India:

  • Ancient Period: Child marriage was prevalent in ancient India during the Vedic period. Girls as young as 8-10 years were married off to older men. The main reason was to ensure the security of daughters and the continuity of lineage through sons.
  • Medieval Period: The practice of child marriage continued and even spread during the medieval period. The age of marriage for girls decreased to 7-8 years. 
  • British Rule: Though British officials tried to curb child marriage in India, they faced resistance due to cultural and religious beliefs. The minimum age of marriage for girls was raised to 12 through the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, but it was ineffective.
  • Post-Independence: After independence, the government raised the legal age of marriage for girls to 18 through the Child Marriage Restriction Act of 1976. However, this failed to curb the practice successfully. Poverty, lack of education and cultural norms continue to fuel child marriage in India.
  • Current Scenario: While the legal age of marriage is 18, child marriage continues in India, especially in rural and tribal areas. Girls below 18 years account for about 25% of married women in India, according to UNICEF. Lack of policy implementation and socio-economic factors are significant hurdles in eradicating child marriage.
  • The need of the hour is the stricter implementation of laws against child marriage along with social reforms, better access to education and empowerment of women. NGOs and government schemes are working to curb this social evil. With continued efforts and awareness, child marriage can hopefully be eradicated from India over time.

Causes of Child Marriage in India

Child marriage is a severe social problem in India with complex socio-economic causes. Girls below 18 years account for about 25% of married women in India. Here are the leading causes of child marriage in India:

  • Poverty: Poverty is a significant cause of child marriage in India. Parents from poor economic backgrounds marry off their young daughters to reduce the financial burden at home and due to the belief that early marriage will secure their future.
  • Dowry: The desire to receive a dowry is another cause of child marriage in India. Parents marry off their young daughters while the dowry demand is still low. As girls grow older, dowry demands increase.
  • Lack of education: Lack of education and awareness among girls and their families is an important cause of child marriage. Educated people are more aware of the harms of child marriage.
  • Traditional beliefs: Traditional and cultural beliefs and practices continue to promote child marriage in India. People believe that early marriage will protect girls, provide security and ensure the continuity of the family lineage.
  • Gender discrimination: Gender discrimination in Indian society encourages child marriage. The social status of women is often linked to marriage and motherhood. So girls are married off at a young age.
  • Lack of enforcement of laws: Despite laws prohibiting child marriage in India, implementation and enforcement remains weak. Strict punishment for those performing child marriages is lacking. This encourages the continuation of the practice.
  • Health concerns: There are some misconceptions about the health benefits of child marriage. Some people believe that early marriage will develop girls physically and mentally. But the reality is the opposite.
  • Cultural norms: In some communities and regions in India, child marriage remains an accepted social and cultural norm. People continue the practice as it has been done for generations.
  • Lack of opportunities: Lack of opportunities and autonomy for girls in some Indian families and communities pushes parents to marry off their daughters at an early age.

Laws Regarding Child Marriage In India

Child marriage is a serious issue in India, with about 25% of girls getting married before the legal age of 18. Various laws have been enacted over the years in an attempt to curb this social evil. Here is an overview of the key laws regarding child marriage in India:

  • Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929: This was the first law enacted by the British government to set a minimum age of marriage and prevent child marriages. The Act raised the age of marriage for girls to 14 and for boys to 18.
  • Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1978: This law raised the age of marriage for girls from 14 to 15. However, it failed to make a significant impact on curbing child marriages.
  • Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1984: This law further increased the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18 years, bringing it to par with boys. However, implementation remained weak.
  • Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 2006: This law increased the punishment for solemnizing or conducting child marriages. Offenders could now be imprisoned for up to 2 years and fined Rs.1 lakh.
  • Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: This is the current law for preventing child marriages in India. It defines a child as a male under 21 years and a female under 18 years. Key provisions of the PCMA 2006:
    • Defining child marriage and making it voidable at the option of the contracting party.
    • Imprisonment of up to 2 years and fine up to Rs.1 lakh for solemnizing a child marriage.
    • Officials are authorized to stop and prevent child marriages by issuing notices to the parties involved.
    • Child marriages can be rescinded by the contracting party within 2 years of attaining a majority.
    • However, the lack of implementation and awareness of this Act has affected its effectiveness in curbing child marriages.
  • Other initiatives: The government has taken various initiatives like the National Plan of Action for Children 2016, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, and initiatives by NGOs working to raise awareness about the harmful impact of child marriage and to empower girls.

Consequences of Child Marriage

It has many bad effects on the lives of young girls and boys.

  • Less education: When a girl gets married young, she leaves her studies. Without education, she cannot get a good job. She remains dependent on her husband forever. Boys also cannot complete their education if married young.
  • Health issues: Young girls face health problems after marriage. Their bodies are not ready for pregnancy. Childbirth is dangerous for them. Their babies also face health risks. Young husbands also face health issues.
  • Early pregnancy: Young wives become pregnant soon after marriage. A girl's body is not ready to carry a child at such a young age. Pregnancy at an early age can cause fatal complications.
  • Domestic violence: Young wives often face violence from their husbands and in-laws. They cannot protect themselves as they are financially dependent on their husbands. Boys also face violence from their wives and in-laws.
  • Less decision-making: Child wives have no say in family decisions. Their husbands and in-laws take all important decisions. They remain voiceless members of the family, all their lives.
  • Loss of childhood: Marriage ends the childhood of a young girl or boy. They lose their freedom and right to enjoy childhood. Their lives change overnight after marriage.
  • Loss of confidence: Child wives lack confidence due to poverty, lack of education and early responsibility of a family. They remain timid and shy throughout their lives.
  • Broken dreams: Child marriage forces a young girl or boy to leave their dreams. They cannot pursue their interests and passion after marriage. Their talents get wasted.
  • No emotional growth: Child wives do not get time and space to properly understand relationships. They enter marriage without emotional maturity. This causes problems later in marriage.
  • Continued poverty: When a girl gets married at a young age, her parents lose an earning member of the family. Due to her lack of education and skills, it is difficult for her to lift her family out of poverty.

Conclusion

While progressive laws have been enacted over the years to ban child marriage and increase penalties for violations, lack of implementation and enforcement has been a major issue. Stricter punishment for those performing child marriages, better awareness about existing laws and initiatives targeting root causes like poverty and gender inequality are needed to effectively curb this social evil in India.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Child Marriage In India FAQs

Child marriage leads to health risks for girls, high infant and maternal mortality, low literacy and skill levels, domestic violence and child sexual abuse. It severely impacts the growth and development of girls.

The child's parents and guardian, the person conducting the marriage, and anyone abetting or promoting child marriage can be punished under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 makes child marriage a punishable offence. The minimum age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys, beyond which marriage is legal.

Measures like girls' education, awareness programs, counselling of parents, engaging religious leaders, strict implementation of laws and financial incentives can help prevent child marriage. Community participation and behaviour change are crucial.

Poverty, lack of education, gender inequality, tradition and religion are the main factors for child marriage in India. Parents think it will reduce family expenses, and girls will be protected.
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