Curbing child marriages: Maharashtra plans birth dates of bride, groom mandatory on wedding card

Earlier, Tatkare informed that as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21 the child marriage percentage average was 23.3% nationally while it was 21.9% in Maharashtra. In 2023-24, it was 20.1% and 19.7%, respectively.

She informed that in 2018-19, around 147 child marriages were stopped. In the subsequent years, the number of child marriages stopped are 240 (2019-20), 519 (2020-21), 831 (2021-22), 930 (2022-23), 1253 (2023-24), 1495 (2024-25) and 1434 (2025-26). “The increased number is because more and more action is being taken. We are taking action not only against both the families but also the priest, band and participants face cases,” she said.

Tatakre said that The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, is being implemented in the state to prevent child marriages, and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Child Marriage Rules, 2022, have been formulated. Actions are being taken in accordance with these.

For rural areas, Gram Sevaks, and for urban areas, Child Development Project Officers have been declared as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers within their respective jurisdictions. Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi supervisors have been declared as Assistant Child Marriage Prohibition Officers to assist them. A District Child Protection Unit has been established in every district of the state, and through this unit, public awareness programs are regularly organized to eradicate the practice of child marriage.

Under the Central Government’s “Child Marriage Free India Campaign,” a drive has been implemented across all districts of the state to completely eradicate the practice of child marriage.