Nationwide 100-day ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign kicks off at Vigyan Bhawan

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has launched a nationwide 100-day campaign, Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, aimed at creating a child marriage-free India. The event, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, was graced by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, in the presence of Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur. The campaign marks the first anniversary of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat initiative, first launched on 27 November 2024.

The campaign is structured as a three-spell program spanning 27 November 2025 to 8 March 2026. The first spell (27 Nov – 31 Dec) focuses on awareness in schools, colleges, and universities through debates, essay competitions, interactive sessions, and pledge ceremonies. The second spell (1 – 31 Jan) engages faith leaders, community influencers, and marriage service providers to amplify messages on child rights and empowerment. The third spell (1 Feb – 8 Mar) mobilises Gram Panchayats and municipal wards to pass resolutions declaring their areas child marriage-free. The initiative is implemented in close coordination with the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Education, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development.

Child marriage remains a significant challenge in India. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21), 23% of women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, while approximately 1–1.2 crore women report being married before 15. Legal reforms have been proposed to raise the minimum marriage age for women to 21 years, aligning it with global standards and ensuring better protection of girls. Globally, India’s child marriage prevalence remains among the highest, although recent decades have seen a gradual decline.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, caused a temporary surge in early marriages. Reports from NGOs and child helplines indicate that over 5,500 child marriages were stopped during the 2020 lockdown, and thousands more were prevented by local interventions, reflecting economic distress, school closures, and social vulnerability. Activists warn that while the long-term trend may show decline, the pandemic temporarily increased risks in several states.

Non-governmental organisations have played a pivotal role in preventing child marriages in India. Groups such as Saarthi Trust, Tharuni, and activists like Kriti Bharti, Anoyara Khatun, Mamatha Raghuveer Achanta, and Payal Jangid have intervened in thousands of cases, providing legal aid, counselling, rescue, rehabilitation, and education for girls. Globally recognized figures such as Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi and the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation have mobilized communities nationwide, promoting “child-marriage-free villages” and awareness campaigns. In 2024–25 alone, civil society efforts reportedly prevented over 1.2 lakh potential child marriages across 416 districts.

The government’s agenda for this campaign includes strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), education and economic empowerment of girls, community mobilisation, engagement of local governance bodies, and transparent reporting via dedicated portals. The campaign’s theme, “Child Marriage-Free Bharat,” emphasizes collective responsibility, urging citizens, institutions, and community leaders to participate actively.

As India steps into this 100-day intensive awareness drive, the government, NGOs, and citizens aim to reaffirm their commitment to a society where girls can pursue education, health, and personal development without the threat of early marriage. Through coordinated action, the campaign seeks not only to prevent marriages but also to foster systemic change that empowers communities to reject child marriage for generations to come.

Live telecast of the event is available at: https://webcast.gov.in/mwcd