Assam has emerged as the national leader in the fight against child marriage, recording an unprecedented 84% decline in child marriages among girls—the steepest drop in the country—according to a landmark report released by Just Rights for Children (JRC), one of India’s largest child protection networks.

The report, titled “Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India”, was unveiled during a side event at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It highlights Assam’s significant progress compared to the national average decline of 69% among girls and 72% among boys over the past three years.

In recognition of the state’s success, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been conferred the ‘Champions of Change’ Award by Just Rights for Children for spearheading aggressive action and policy initiatives against child marriage.

Legal Crackdown & Awareness Campaigns Drive Results

The report credits Assam’s dramatic decline to its ‘zero tolerance’ policy, bolstered by legal enforcement, including large-scale FIRs and arrests, as well as state-wide awareness campaigns. A significant 91% decline in child marriages among boys was also recorded in the state.

According to the study, 76% of respondents identified legal deterrence—particularly prosecutions and arrests—as the most effective strategy after awareness efforts. Over 99% of respondents in Assam were aware of the laws against child marriage, with TV, radio (92%) and NGOs (76%) identified as their primary sources of information.

“Assam has shown that when law is enforced without compromise and communities act with conviction, even a deeply entrenched crime like child marriage can be dismantled within years,” said Ravi Kant, National Convenor, Just Rights for Children.

Ground-Level Impact and Government Schemes

In Assam, 150 villages across 30 districts were surveyed for the report, with the active involvement of frontline service providers such as ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, school teachers, and Panchayat representatives.

The report also highlighted the impact of government schemes like ‘Nijut Moina 2.0’, which provides financial incentives for girls to pursue education, thereby reducing the risk of early marriage.

Further, Assam recorded 99% awareness of the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign launched in 2024. Impressively, 95% of respondents reported having taken the anti-child marriage pledge, with NGOs playing a leading role in mobilizing communities.

Recognition & National Roadmap

With over 250 NGOs under its umbrella, Just Rights for Children operates in 30 of Assam’s 35 districts through eight partner organizations. The report calls for the replication of Assam’s multi-stakeholder approach across India.

Key national recommendations from the report include:

• Strict enforcement of child marriage laws

• Mandatory marriage registration

• Improved reporting and monitoring systems

• Village-level awareness about the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat portal

• Declaration of a National Day Against Child Marriage

The study, based on a multistage stratified random sample across 757 villages in five states, underscores the power of coordinated government action, community awareness, and legal deterrence in combating social evils.

With Assam leading the way, the report positions the state as a torchbearer in India's journey toward eliminating child marriage by 2030, setting a strong example for the rest of the country and the world.