Maha Wedding Invites May Have Bride, Groom’s DOB to Curb Child Marriage
The proposal was recommended by the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights following concerns over a rise in cases of girls getting married before the age of 18 in some parts of the state.
Mumbai:The Maharashtra Government is considering mandating the inclusion of date of birth of both the bride and groom on wedding invitation cards as part of measures to curb child marriages, women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare said on Wednesday.
The proposal, modelled on practices in Rajasthan, is under examination in consultation with the rural development and law and judiciary departments.
“The Maharashtra government has written to the Rajasthan government to study its practice of mentioning the dates of birth of both the bride and groom on wedding invitation cards. The Maharashtra government will examine the feasibility of adopting a similar mechanism in consultation with the rural development and the law and judiciary departments,” Tatkare said.
She said the move would help verify the age of couples at the time of marriage. The government is also considering making printing presses, wedding halls and event organisers responsible for compliance, with legal action proposed against violations.
The minister said the state aimed to reduce the child marriage rate to below 10 per cent over the next five years.
The proposal follows recommendations by the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights amid concerns over underage marriages in parts of the state.
“Maharashtra has set a target to reduce the child marriage rate to below 10 per cent within the next five years,” Tatkare said.
She said the state’s child marriage rate stood at 19.6 per cent, down from 21.9 per cent in 2019-21. The government prevented 1,495 child marriages in 2024-25 and 1,434 cases so far this year.
“The increase in the number of child marriages being stopped should not be interpreted as an increase in child marriages. It indicates improved detection, reporting and intervention by government machinery. Action is being taken not only against family members involved in child marriages, but also against those who knowingly facilitate such ceremonies, including priests, musicians and others participating in the event,” she said.
The issue was raised by Atul Bhatkhalkar, who sought details of cases and action taken.
Officials said child marriages were concentrated in regions such as Marathwada and rural belts, with higher incidence reported in districts including Parbhani, Beed, Dhule and Solapur.
The government also plans targeted outreach among migrant labourers and expansion of child care and residential facilities to address the issue.
