Alarming Surge in Child Marriages Across Madhya Pradesh
Government data reveals a distressing trend in Madhya Pradesh, where child marriages have more than doubled over the past five years. In 2020, authorities detected 366 cases of girls under 18 being married, a number that escalated sharply to 538 incidents by 2025. This translates to an average increase from approximately one child marriage per day to two, highlighting a growing crisis that demands urgent attention.
Government Response and Preventive Measures
Presented in the state assembly on December 2, 2025, these figures have prompted the government to intensify efforts to curb this practice. Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya on April 20, a festival known for mass weddings and spikes in child unions, the state has directed all district collectors to enhance prevention activities. On April 6, specific orders were issued to ramp up vigilance during this period.
To combat the rising trend, Madhya Pradesh has appointed child marriage prohibition officers and expanded initiatives under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, which means "Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter." These efforts include well-organized programmes such as public appeals, educational workshops, community rallies, street plays, and bal chaupal, or children's community meetings.
Multi-Level Strategy and Awareness Campaigns
Special teams are now operational at district and block levels, supported by information groups, flying squads, control rooms, and monitoring units. For Akshaya Tritiya, directives emphasize strict monitoring of mass weddings, with school and college students being sensitized about the harmful effects of child marriage through awareness rallies organized by educational institutions and anganwadi centers.
In rural areas, authorities are compiling lists of girls under 18, providing counselling to their families, and keeping them under surveillance. Helpline numbers—181, 1098, and 112—are being widely publicized for reporting cases, along with the Child Marriage Free India portal for lodging complaints. These measures are part of a broader strategy that will also be applied during Dev Uthani Ekadashi later in the year, ensuring sustained vigilance against this social issue.
