New Delhi/Mumbai: India has witnessed a dramatic fall in child marriages over the past three years, with cases among girls dropping by 69% and among boys by 72%, according to a report released during a side event of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The report, Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India, was prepared by the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change for Children (C-LAB) under the Just Rights for Children (JRC) network, which comprises more than 250 NGOs. It credits the Government of India’s Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign and coordinated state-level action as key drivers of the decline.
Assam Leads the Way
Assam recorded the steepest decline in child marriages of girls at 84%, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar (70% each), Rajasthan (66%) and Karnataka (55%). Recognising Assam’s remarkable progress, JRC conferred its ‘Champions of Change’ award on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Awareness at the Grassroots
The survey shows that 99% of respondents were aware of the child marriage law and government campaigns, mainly through NGOs, schools and panchayats. NGO-led outreach was especially high in Bihar (93%), Maharashtra (89%) and Assam (88%).
The report also highlights that today, 63% of people feel “very comfortable” reporting child marriage cases compared to near silence a few years ago. Poverty (91%), fear for girls’ safety (44%) and traditional norms continue to be cited as leading causes of child marriage.
Education and Gaps
While 31% of surveyed villages reported that all girls between 6–18 years were in school, disparities remain stark: Bihar at just 9% and Maharashtra at 51%. Barriers include poverty, lack of infrastructure, safety concerns, and inadequate transportation.
A Call to Action
The report recommends strict enforcement of laws, compulsory marriage registration, stronger reporting systems, and declaring a national day against child marriage.
Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of JRC, said, “India is on the verge of ending child marriage. This is not just a legal battle but a societal transformation. If India sustains this momentum, we will eliminate child marriage by 2030.”
