Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government has set an ambitious target to reduce the state’s child marriage rate to below 10 percent within the next five years through stronger enforcement and awareness measures, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare informed the Legislative Assembly.
Responding to a question raised by MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, the minister said that according to the National Family Health Survey (2019–2021), the child marriage rate in India was 23.3 percent, while Maharashtra recorded 21.9 percent. Recent surveys conducted in selected districts during 2023–24 indicate that the national average has declined to 20.1 percent, while Maharashtra’s rate has fallen to 19.7 percent.
Tatkare highlighted the government’s efforts to curb child marriages, noting that 187 child marriages were prevented in 2018–19, 240 in 2019–20, 519 in 2020–21, 831 in 2021–22, and 930 in 2022–23. During 2022–23, 81 FIRs were registered against offenders. The number of prevented child marriages increased to 1,253 in 2023–24 and 1,495 in 2024–25. So far this year, authorities have prevented 1,434 child marriages and initiated legal action against those involved.
The minister said district action forces, village-level protection committees, and local administrative bodies are being strengthened to improve monitoring and enforcement. Cases are also being registered against family members, facilitators, and others involved in conducting child marriages.
Tatkare further stated that Maharashtra will study Rajasthan’s initiative of mentioning the bride and groom’s birth dates on wedding invitations and examine the possibility of implementing a similar provision in the state. The government is also prioritizing childcare centres and shelter facilities for the children of migrant workers to help prevent child marriages.
