Alarmed by the prevalence of child marriage in several districts, the Maharashtra government is considering a proposal to make it mandatory to print the bride and groom’s dates of birth on wedding invitation cards. The move, inspired by a similar initiative in Rajasthan, is aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent underage marriages and improve compliance with existing laws. The proposal comes after the government acknowledged disturbing figures on child marriage during the ongoing Assembly session. Data presented in the House revealed that a significant number of girls in several districts are being married before attaining the legal age of 18 years, despite stringent legal provisions prohibiting child marriage. According to the figures shared
by the government, Parbhani recorded the highest incidence, with 48 per cent of girls reportedly married before the age of 18. Beed followed at 43.7 per cent, while Dhule and Solapur reported 40.5 per cent and 40.3 per cent respectively. The statistics have raised serious concerns within the government about the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms. Officials believe that displaying the birth dates of both the bride and groom on wedding invitations could serve as an additional layer of scrutiny. It would enable families, local authorities and community members to verify whether the marriage complies with the legal age requirements, thereby acting as a deterrent against child marriage. The state government has maintained that child marriage continues to adversely affect the health, education and overall development of young girls. Early marriages often lead to school dropouts, poor maternal health outcomes and reduced economic opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and social inequality. While Maharashtra already has legal provisions and awareness campaigns in place to combat child marriage, the latest data suggests that social practices and local realities continue to challenge enforcement efforts. The proposed measure is being examined as part of a broader strategy to tighten implementation and increase public accountability. Sources in the government said a detailed study of Rajasthan’s model is underway before a final decision is taken. If approved, Maharashtra could become one of the few states to mandate age disclosure on wedding invitations as a tool to curb child marriage. The proposal reflects the government’s growing concern that legal prohibitions alone may not be sufficient, and that greater social participation is required to address the issue effectively.
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