India cuts child marriage rates but millions of girls remain vulnerable, experts say

India has seen a steep decline in child marriage, with the share falling from more than half of all marriages in 1996 to just over 20 % today, yet roughly one-in-five Indian women were still married before age 18, keeping the nation responsible for about one-third of worldwide child brides. UNICEF and government statistics pinpoint five states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh—as accounting for over half of the country’s child marriages, while Kerala and Lakshadweep report lower rates.

UNICEF India representative Cynthia McCaffrey highlighted the International Day of the Girl Child theme urging sustained investment in girls’ education, health and agency. Experts from CRY-Child Rights and You and Just Rights for Children acknowledged progress but warned that poverty and regional disparities continue to drive early unions, which remain illegal under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and constitute rape under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Government schemes such as the Child Marriage Free India campaign aim to accelerate reductions, but activists say localized, context-specific actions are essential to meet the 2030 target.