Government Launched National Initiative “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” to End Child Marriage

Child marriage is a serious social issue in India, affecting the rights, health, and education of children, especially girls. The Government of India has taken strong steps to prevent child marriage and protect children through laws, campaigns, and awareness programs. These efforts aim to create a child-marriage-free India and empower young girls to live safe and fulfilling lives.

Legal Framework to Prevent Child Marriage

The Indian government has enacted specific laws to prohibit child marriage:

• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) – This law bans child marriages and defines punishments for those who arrange or participate in them.
• Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 – Though mainly focused on child labour, this Act supports child protection by empowering officials to take action against violations.

Role of Officials

1. District Magistrates: Appointed under the Labour Act, they supervise enforcement and designate District Nodal Officers (DNOs).

2. Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs): Appointed under PCMA, they:

• Prevent child marriages
• Collect evidence for legal cases
• Advise and counsel communities
• Raise awareness about the harms of child marriage

All these officials work under the supervision of State Governments and Union Territories.

National Campaign: Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat

To strengthen efforts, the government launched “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” on 27th November 2024. The campaign focuses on:

• Awareness generation and community mobilization
• Strengthening the role of CMPOs
• Encouraging timely reporting of child marriage cases
• Identifying girls at risk and ensuring their education, skill development, and empowerment

100 Days Special Campaign

On 4th December 2025, a 100 Days Special Campaign under Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat was launched to accelerate results. It includes:

• Targeted outreach to schools, community leaders, and marriage-related service providers
• Mobilizing Gram Panchayats and Municipal Wards to declare their areas child-marriage-free
• Uploading CMPO details on the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal

Digital Tools for Monitoring and Reporting

The government has created a dedicated platform to support reporting and awareness: Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal (https://stopchildmarriage.wcd.gov.in)

Key features:

• Reporting of child marriage incidents
• Information dissemination and awareness campaigns
• Registration of pledges against child marriage
• Database of over 66,000 CMPOs across India

Achievements as of March 2026

• Over 11.81 crore citizens reached through awareness programs
• More than 40 lakh pledges registered against child marriage

Other Government Initiatives

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

• Launched on 22nd January 2015 under Mission Shakti
• Focuses on girl child empowerment and addressing gender discrimination

Legal Aid and Helplines

• National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) – Provides free legal aid through helpline 15100
• Child Helpline (1098) – 24×7 emergency support for children in distress
• Women Helpline (181) – Provides assistance to women and girls

The Child Helpline is integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) for round-the-clock response.

Role of State Government and UT Administrations

• Implementation is primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territories, as ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects.
• States work with CMPOs, DNOs, and community organizations to prevent child marriages effectively.