Smt. Annpurna Devi called child marriage “both a legal violation and a moral injustice,” underscoring the Government’s sustained reforms in girl-child education, women’s empowerment and gender equity. She highlighted improvements in India’s Sex Ratio at Birth, rising enrolment of girls in schools and colleges, and the growing visibility of young women in diverse professional fields.
The Minister also noted that girls today comprise 43% of India’s STEM workforce—among the highest globally. To further strengthen educational continuity, the Government has allocated ₹1,827 crore in scholarships for girls across the country, ensuring greater opportunities for higher learning and career development.
Expressing gratitude towards frontline workers including Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, ANMs, teachers and civil society organisations, she urged States and Union Territories to intensify on-ground efforts to make child marriage “almost non-existent” in the coming years.
Grassroots-Centred Movement with National Reach
Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur highlighted the campaign’s community-led nature. She stressed that ending child marriage is essential to building a socially responsible and developed Bharat rooted in collective vigilance.
She emphasised the critical contribution of Panchayats, faith leaders, youth groups and marriage service providers, noting that timely reporting is key to preventing illegal underage marriages. She cited flagship initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PMMVY, Poshan Abhiyaan and One Stop Centres as foundational pillars supporting girls’ safety, nutrition and welfare.
Smt. Thakur appealed to families to ensure no daughter is married before the legal age, reaffirming that the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan represents a nationwide Jan Andolan a people’s movement.
Portal Enhancements and Massive Public Participation
WCD Secretary Shri Anil Mallik announced major upgrades to the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal, which now provides seamless access to over 38,000 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs). The portal enables citizens to track district-level progress, review interventions and take an online pledge supporting the mission.
More than 26 lakh people including students, frontline workers and community volunteers have already participated in awareness activities, demonstrating rising public mobilisation and ownership of the campaign’s goals.
The launch event featured a national pledge, screening of a film on changemakers and live participation from more than 1.32 lakh devices via webcast and YouTube. Additional information on the Abhiyan is available through the official portal: Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal.
The 100-Day Campaign: A Three-Phase Action Plan
The nationwide drive (27 November 2025 to 8 March 2026) is structured in three distinct spells, each targeting key stakeholders:
Spell 1: Awareness in Educational Institutions (27 Nov–31 Dec 2025)
Activities in schools, colleges and universities, including essay competitions, debates, discussions and pledge ceremonies to mobilise youth support.
Spell 2: Engagement with Community Influencers (1–31 Jan 2026)
Dialogue with faith leaders, local influencers and marriage service providers to reinforce messages on safety, legal awareness and child rights.
Spell 3: Resolutions by Local Bodies (1 Feb–8 Mar 2026)
Mobilisation of Gram Panchayats and Municipal Wards to pass official resolutions declaring their regions child marriage free, strengthening local governance responses.
The campaign is being implemented in close coordination with Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Education, ensuring broad convergence and strong grassroots impact.
A Call to Citizens Nationwide
The Ministry urged all citizens, institutions, community leaders and youth groups to unite in this mission and reaffirm India’s resolve to build a Child Marriage Free Bharat. The 100-day drive aims to ignite a cultural shift that safeguards every child’s right to education, safety and equality.