Maharashtra Govt May Mandate Birth Dates On Wedding Invitations To Crack Down On Child Marriages
Maharashtra Govt May Mandate Birth Dates On Wedding Invitations To Crack Down On Child Marriages
Mumbai, June 24, 2026: In a significant move aimed at preventing child marriages, the Maharashtra government is considering making it compulsory to print the dates of birth of both the bride and groom on wedding invitation cards. The proposal is being explored as part of the state’s efforts to strengthen age verification and curb underage marriages, particularly in districts where such cases remain a concern.
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare informed the Maharashtra Assembly that including birth dates on wedding invitations could help authorities and communities easily verify whether both individuals have reached the legal age for marriage. The government is studying a similar system implemented in Rajasthan, where such measures have reportedly helped reduce incidents of child marriage.
To ensure compliance, the state is also considering holding stakeholders such as printing presses, marriage halls, and event organisers accountable for following the proposed guidelines. Violations could attract legal action under existing laws related to child marriage prevention.
The proposal follows recommendations from the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which highlighted the need for stricter monitoring after reports of child marriages surfaced in several parts of the state.
According to data presented in the Assembly, some districts continue to report a high prevalence of underage marriages among girls. Parbhani recorded the highest rate at 48 per cent, followed by Beed at 43.7 per cent, Dhule at 40.5 per cent, and Solapur at 40.3 per cent.
बालविवाह रोखण्यासाठी महिला व बालविकास विभाग कटिबद्ध !
— Aditi S Tatkare (@iAditiTatkare) June 24, 2026
विधिमंडळाच्या पावसाळी अधिवेशनाच्या निमित्ताने प्रश्नोत्तराच्या सत्रात आज बालविवाहांना संपूर्ण प्रतिबंध घालण्यासाठी महिला व बालविकास विभागाकडून सुरू असलेल्या प्रयत्नांची माहिती दिली.
राष्ट्रीय कुटुंब आरोग्य सर्वेक्षणानुसार… pic.twitter.com/ZuP93lTCG3
Despite these concerns, state officials noted an improvement in recent years. Child marriage rates in Maharashtra declined to 19.6 per cent in 2023-24 from 21.9 per cent during 2019-21, bringing the state slightly below the national average of 20.1 per cent. Authorities also revealed that 1,434 child marriages were prevented across Maharashtra during 2025-26.
Officials have identified seasonal migration of labourers, particularly in regions such as Beed and Marathwada, as one of the factors contributing to child marriages. Families migrating for sugarcane-cutting work often face social and economic challenges that increase the risk of underage marriages.
To address the issue, the government plans to expand outreach programmes among migrant workers and strengthen support systems, including child care facilities, to protect children during migration periods.
The state government is now examining Rajasthan’s model more closely. In several districts there, wedding invitations are required to mention the birth dates of the bride and groom along with a warning that child marriage is a punishable offence. Local monitoring teams comprising school principals, village officials, anganwadi workers and revenue staff actively track and report suspected cases, enabling authorities to intervene before illegal marriages take place.
The Maharashtra government is expected to take a final decision on the proposal after reviewing the effectiveness of these measures and consulting relevant stakeholders.
