||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh June 08,2026 ||

New Delhi: Child marriage in India has declined significantly over the years, but it continues to remain a major social concern in several parts of the country, according to data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021.

The survey found that 23% of women aged 20–24 years in India were married before the legal age of 18, highlighting that nearly one in four young women experienced child marriage despite legal prohibitions and ongoing awareness campaigns.

The prevalence of child marriage varies widely across states and Union Territories. West Bengal recorded the highest share at 41.6%, followed closely by Bihar (40.8%), Tripura (40.1%), Jharkhand (32.2%), and Assam (31.8%). These figures indicate that child marriage remains deeply rooted in several eastern and northeastern states.

Other states reporting relatively high levels include Andhra Pradesh (29.3%), Telangana (27%), Rajasthan (25.4%), Gujarat (23.1%), Maharashtra (21.9%), Madhya Pradesh (21.5%), and Odisha (20.5%). In Karnataka, the share stood at 11.9%, lower than the national average but still representing a significant number of affected girls.

On the other hand, some regions reported considerably lower levels of child marriage. Ladakh recorded the lowest share at 2.1%, followed by Lakshadweep (2.9%), Jammu & Kashmir (4.5%), Goa (5.2%), Himachal Pradesh (5.4%), and Kerala (6.3%).

Experts note that child marriage often has far-reaching consequences, including reduced educational opportunities, increased health risks associated with early pregnancies, economic vulnerability, and restrictions on personal freedom and childhood development.

While the NFHS-5 findings suggest that India has made progress in reducing child marriage compared to previous decades, the data also underscores persistent regional disparities. The continued prevalence in several states highlights the need for stronger enforcement of child marriage laws, improved access to education, community awareness initiatives, and targeted interventions to protect the rights and well-being of girls.

The survey findings serve as a reminder that, although child marriage is no longer as widespread as it once was, it remains a reality for millions of girls and continues to pose challenges to achieving gender equality and social development across the country.