Decline in Child Marriages in India Amid Increased Reporting: NCPCR

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has released its annual report for 2023-24, highlighting significant developments in the fight against child marriage in India.

Over the past three years, the NCPCR has made child marriage a priority, conducting review meetings aimed at prevention within a framework of competitive-cooperative federalism. This effort has led to a noticeable increase in the reporting of child marriages, even as the actual number of cases has declined.

In compliance with its mandate under Section 13(1)(a) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, the NCPCR held a series of virtual meetings with key stakeholders from all states and Union Territories (UTs) over the last month. These discussions focused on implementing the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, with the goal of enhancing social objectives and formulating effective welfare policies for children.

The report compiles data from 596 districts across 27 states and seven UTs. In addition to addressing child marriage, the NCPCR monitors the implementation of several key laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

Established in 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, the NCPCR operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Its mission is to ensure that laws, policies, and programs align with the rights of children as outlined in the Constitution of India and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The commission also reviews safeguards for child rights and recommends strategies for their implementation, reporting annually to the central government on the effectiveness of these measures.