The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
Act details
| Short title | The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the prohibition of solemnisation of child marriages and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 6 of 2007 |
| Act year | 2007 |
| Enactment date | 10 Jan 2007 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 21 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
Short Title The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
Act Number / Year Act No. 6 of 2007 (Enacted in January 2007)
Act ID (India Code) 200706
Presidential Assent Date January 10, 2007
Enforcement Date November 1, 2007
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Women and Child Development
Precedent & Statutory Rationale
1. Inadequacies of the Legacy Framework (Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929):
o Prior to 2007, child marriages were governed by the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. This colonial-era enactment imposed very nominal penalties, treated offences as bailable, lacked provisions to declare child marriages void or voidable, and failed to provide protective, preventive, or rehabilitative measures for victims.
2. Combating Social Harm and Safeguarding Child Rights:
o The 2006 legislation was enacted to create a comprehensive legal framework aimed at systematically preventing the solemnization of child marriages, protecting minor victims from severe health, psychological, and educational deprivations, and enforcing stringent penal consequences against facilitators, promoters, and adult participants.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
• Formulation: Developed and piloted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in response to widespread social advocacy and administrative requirements for a stringent anti-child marriage statute.
• Parliamentary Passage: Tabled, debated, and passed by both Houses of Parliament.
• Presidential Assent: Received formal Presidential Assent on January 10, 2007, entering the statute book as Act No. 6 of 2007.
• Enforcement: Enforced on November 1, 2007.
• Source: India Code and Ministry of Women and Child Development Official Records