Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): A 100-day awareness campaign is being conducted across India to prevent child marriages and encourage public participation under the Centre’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ (Child Marriage-Free India) initiative.
The campaign module is being carried out from October 21 to December 21, 2026, with activities focused on raising awareness, encouraging communities to report cases and strengthening coordination among government departments.
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign on November 27, 2024, to bring government agencies and different sections of society together to prevent child marriages.
A government spokesperson said the awareness drive was being continued to maintain public attention on the issue ahead of November 27, which the United Nations General Assembly has designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
Authorities directed to act immediately on child marriage complaints
Officials have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the spokesperson said.
The district administration and police will be required to take immediate action whenever information about a child marriage is received.
The concerned departments have also been asked to organise awareness programmes in villages and urban wards to inform people about the harmful consequences of child marriage.
The spokesperson said child marriage was a punishable offence and stressed that preventing the practice required active participation from both government agencies and the wider community.
How to report a child marriage in India?
Citizens have been urged to report any suspected or planned child marriage immediately through the following channels:
- Child Helpline: Call 1098.
- Police: Contact the nearest police station.
- Online pledge: Citizens can take a pledge against child marriage through the MyGov portal at https://pledge.mygov.in/bal-vivah-mukht-bharat/.
The awareness campaign aims to strengthen vigilance and encourage people to report cases so that authorities can intervene and prevent child marriages.
