Remarkable Decline in Child Marriage Rates in India: JRC Report

India has witnessed a historic decline in child marriage rates, according to a comprehensive research report released by Just Rights for Children (JRC). The report, titled “Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage-Free India”, indicates a 69% drop in child marriages among girls and a 72% decline among boys over the past three years. Experts highlight that legal measures such as arrests, FIRs, and awareness campaigns have played a crucial role in bringing about this significant change.

The report was launched at a high-profile event in New York, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The program, organized by JRC in collaboration with the World Jurist Association and Jurists for Worldwide, was inaugurated by Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of OAFLAD, along with representatives from the Government of Kenya. The launch showcased India’s progress in child protection as a model for global efforts to eliminate child marriage.

State-wise progress and statistics:
The survey revealed that Assam recorded the sharpest reduction at 84%, while Maharashtra and Bihar saw a 70% decline, followed by Rajasthan (66%) and Karnataka (55%). According to the report, the decline can be attributed to sustained interventions by central and state governments, active engagement of NGOs, schools, and village panchayats, as well as enforcement of child marriage laws.

Nearly 99% of respondents reported that they learned about the Government of India’s Child Marriage-Free India campaign primarily through awareness drives conducted by NGOs, school programs, and panchayat initiatives. This indicates that community-level education and mobilization were as important as legal enforcement in reducing child marriages.

Voices from JRC:
Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of JRC, emphasized the collective effort required to sustain this progress: “India is now firmly on the path to eliminating child marriage. This achievement is more than just about meeting Sustainable Development Goals – it demonstrates to the world that ending child marriage is both possible and inevitable. The formula is simple yet effective: prevention first, protection second, and prosecution as a corrective measure. What India has achieved can serve as a blueprint for the rest of the world.”

Recognition and impact:
In recognition of Assam’s outstanding achievements, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was awarded the title of ‘Champion of Change’ by JRC. The report underscores the critical role of regional leaders, civil society networks, and grassroots workers in transforming societal norms and ensuring child safety.

The report was prepared by the Centre for Legal Action and Behavioural Change for Children (C-LAB), a research wing affiliated with JRC. Data was collected from 757 villages across five states, selected to reflect India’s diverse social, cultural, and economic contexts. The survey included interviews with frontline workers such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers, school teachers, nurses, midwives, and panchayat members, ensuring comprehensive and accurate data.

Key findings:
– Education access: In Maharashtra, 51% of villages had all girls aged 6–18 attending school, while Bihar lagged significantly at 9%.
– Barriers to education: Respondents cited poverty (88%), lack of infrastructure (47%), safety concerns (42%), and limited transport (24%) as the main obstacles to girls’ education.
– Causes of child marriage: Poverty (91%) and lack of protection (44%) were the most cited reasons for child marriages.
– Social change: 63% of people reported feeling “very comfortable” reporting child marriage cases to authorities, while 33% felt “somewhat comfortable,” indicating a significant shift in societal attitudes.

JRC’s interventions and achievements:
Between April 2023 and September 2025, JRC and its partner organizations have achieved remarkable results:
– Prevented 397,849 child marriages
– Rescued 109,548 children from trafficking and bonded labor
– Filed 74,375 cases against trafficking networks
– Assisted 32,000 children who were victims of sexual exploitation

The report notes that NGOs played a pivotal role in spreading awareness about government initiatives in states such as Bihar, Assam, and Maharashtra. Schools also emerged as key platforms for education and awareness, particularly in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, where significant percentages of respondents learned about child marriage laws through school programs.

Recommendations for the future:
The report recommends:
– Stricter enforcement of child marriage laws across all states
– Mandatory registration of all marriages, including at the village level
– Enhanced village-level awareness programs, involving schools, NGOs, and panchayats
– Establishment of a National Child Marriage-Free India Day to mobilize public engagement and reinforce societal commitment

A turning point for India:
From a society where child marriage was once normalized and reporting was rare, India has witnessed a historic transformation in a few short years. The report concludes that India is now on track to becoming a child marriage-free nation, setting a precedent for other countries to follow. With continued legal enforcement, public awareness, and strong civil society engagement, child protection and gender equality can be realized nationwide.