Login With Google
Raising age of Marriage
Why is it in news?
- According to some activists, raising the age of marriage from 18 to 21 for women will lead to an increase in parental backlash against young adults.
Details:
- The criticism of the government proposal follows Prime Minister’s speech on Independence Day.
- Prime Minister had announced that the government is looking to review the legal marriage age for women.
- Government has set up a committee to reconsider the minimum age of marriage for girls.
Minimum age of Marriage in India:
- Personal laws of various religions deal with marriage have their own standards, often reflecting custom.
- For Hindus, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 sets 18 years as the minimum age for the bride and 21 years as the minimum age for the groom.
- In Islam, the marriage of a minor who has attained puberty is considered valid under personal law.
- Child marriages are not illegal but can be declared void at the request of the minor in the marriage.
- Women’s age of marriage was increased from 15 years to 18 years in 1978 by amending erstwhile Sharda Act of 1929.