• Awareness campaigns and legal enforcement—FIRs and arrests—are cited as most effective deterrents
• Report released by Just Rights for Children (JRC), a network of over 250 NGOs
• 17 JRC partner organisations operate in 38 districts across Rajasthan
Rajasthan, once among India’s states most affected by child marriage, has recorded a remarkable 66% decline in child marriages among girls and 67% among boys over the past three years, according to a new report titled:
“Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India”
The report was released by Just Rights for Children (JRC) during a side event at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The study identifies poverty (91%), traditional practices (45%), and the belief in early marriage ensuring purity (45%) as the top drivers of child marriage in Rajasthan.
At the national level, child marriages have declined by 69% among girls and 72% among boys. Significant progress was also reported in other states:
- Assam: 84% decline (girls)
- Bihar and Maharashtra: 70% decline
- Karnataka: 55% decline
Key Factors Behind the Decline in Rajasthan
The report credits the multi-sectoral efforts of the Government of Rajasthan, central government, and civil society as driving forces behind this progress. Among the most impactful initiatives:
- Community awareness campaigns
- Compulsory marriage registration
- Integration of child marriage prevention into local governance
- Activation of village-level child protection committees
- Legal action including FIRs and arrests during high-risk periods such as Akshaya Tritiya
Ravi Kant, National Convenor of Just Rights for Children, praised the state’s efforts:
“Rajasthan’s strong and innovative stance against child marriage has been both nuanced and effective. Holding village heads accountable, acting firmly during high-risk occasions, and ensuring convergence of government schemes, law enforcement, and NGOs at the grassroots have driven real change. Rajasthan is on track to become child marriage free before 2030.”
Survey Insights
The report is based on field data collected from 757 villages across five states, using Multistage Stratified Random Sampling. In Rajasthan, data was collected from 150 villages, engaging key frontline service providers such as:
- ASHA workers
- Anganwadi workers
- School teachers
- Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)
- Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members
Key survey findings in Rajasthan:
- 99% of respondents said awareness campaigns were the most effective tool in reducing child marriage
- 82% cited prosecution (FIRs and arrests) as the second most effective deterrent
- 99% were aware of the Government of India’s Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign
- 100% had taken a pledge against child marriage
- 75% credited NGOs as key facilitators of the national campaign
Recommendations
The report offers key recommendations for achieving a Child Marriage Free India by 2030:
- Strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA)
- Improved reporting and monitoring mechanisms
- Compulsory registration of all marriages
- Village-level awareness about the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat portal
- Declaration of a National Day Against Child Marriage to mobilize nationwide action
About the Report
The report was prepared by the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change for Children (C-LAB), an initiative of JRC Partner India Child Protection. JRC is one of India’s largest child protection networks, with over 250 NGOs, including 17 working across 38 districts in Rajasthan.