Union cabinet clears proposal to raise marriage age of women from 18 to 21

New-Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a proposal to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years.

Prime Minister Modi, during his Independence Day speech last year, had made a mention of the proposal.

“This government is constantly concerned about the health of daughters and sisters. To save the daughters from malnutrition, it is necessary that they’re married at the right age,” the Prime Minister had said.

At present, the minimum age of marriage for men is 21 and for women is 18. Now, the government will bring amendments to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act and Hindu Marriage Act to give the new proposal a shape.

The proposal was recommended by the task force headed by Jaya Jaitley in Niti Aayog.

The task force was set up in June 2020 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, also included Dr V K Paul of Niti Aayog and Secretaries of the WCD, Health and Education ministries and of the Legislative Department.

The delay in marriages has a positive financial, social, and health impact on families, society, and children.