INDIA
INDIA
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 15
FEMALE
5%
MALE
N/A
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 18
23%
3%
Year of data:
2019-21
Source:
NFHS 2019-21
Year of data:
2019-21
Source:
NFHS 2019-21
LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE
18
21
LOWEST PERMITTED AGE OF MARRIAGE DUE TO EXCEPTIONS IN THE LAW
18
18
Law(s) which govern marriage and/or child marriage:
Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 (as amended 1978) repealed by Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006
ABOUT THE LAW AND ANY EXCEPTIONS
The legal ages for marriage in India have been set at 18 for women and 21 for men since 1978 via amendment to the Child Marriage Restraint Act. In 2006, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act repealed and replaced the preceding legislation. Indian law now criminalises all forms of child marriage including customary marriages, and the PCMA makes provision for the support of child marriage survivors. In addition, the age of consent is 18 and this applies to child marriages, thereby classifying sex within a child marriage as rape.
CAN MARRIED OR PREGNANT GIRLS GO TO SCHOOL?
No explicit law prevents or protects the right to education for married, pregnant, or parenting girls.