Uniform Marriage Age Bill for Men and Women Lapses with 17th Lok Sabha

The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, aiming to standardize the marriage age at 21 for men and women, has lapsed with the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha. Introduced in December 2021, the bill was under review by the standing committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports.

With the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, a significant bill targeting uniformity in marriage age for men and women has lapsed. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, introduced in December 2021, sought to amend the existing law to increase the minimum marriage age for females to 21 years. Referred initially to the standing committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, the bill underwent multiple extensions.

Constitution expert P D T Acharya confirmed to PTI that the bill lapsed following the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha. The proposed amendment intended to supersede existing laws, customs, or practices. Furthermore, it extended the annulment application period under the 2006 Act from two years to five years post attainment of majority.

The 18th Lok Sabha has now taken over, post general elections, leaving the bill in limbo, and its future remains uncertain.

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