Despite being illegal, child marriage remains widespread in India, depriving millions of children—especially girls—of their rights, education, and future. It's a social crime. A crime dressed as culture, in which an entire society celebrates a child's rape under the guise of marriage. This is violence.
While laws like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, and campaigns such as Child Marriage-Free India aim to end the practice, enforcement gaps and deep-rooted social norms allow it to continue.
Recognising the urgency of tackling child marriage, the Supreme Court of India, in its judgment on October 18, 2024, issued a slew of directions to strengthen the implementation of the PCMA. A bench headed by former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud directed state and Union Territory governments to appoint officers solely responsible for carrying out CMPO duties at the district level.
These directives set out the day-to-day responsibilities of CMPOs under the "4 Ps" framework—Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership. Their expanded role also aligns with the PICKET strategy (Prevention, Investment, Convergence, Knowledge-building, Education, and Technology-driven initiatives), as detailed in When Children Have Children: Tipping Point to End Child Marriage, the debut book by Just Rights for Children founder Bhuwan Ribhu. In the preface, Mr Ribhu outlined the cycle—prevention before protection, protection before prosecution, and prosecution to create deterrence for prevention. His efforts have strengthened legal frameworks and their implementation, ensuring greater accountability and protection for vulnerable groups.
The government has set a target of achieving a child marriage-free India by 2030. A key element in this effort is the role of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs). They are responsible for enforcing the law, engaging communities, protecting vulnerable children, and supporting prosecutions. CMPOs work to identify and stop child marriages through awareness campaigns, local engagement, and coordination with authorities. They intervene before a marriage takes place, provide support to survivors, and collaborate with child welfare committees. They assist law enforcement by gathering evidence and facilitating legal action against offenders.
For example, Akshaya Tritiya, which is considered an auspicious day for weddings, sees a rise in child marriages, making it a critical period for intervention. CMPOs play a key role by monitoring, verifying age proofs, conducting surprise inspections, and working with law enforcement to stop illegal marriages before they take place.
Who Are CMPOs?
Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) are government-appointed officials under Section 16 of the PCMA and are also deemed public servants under Section 17. They are tasked with preventing child marriages, protecting at-risk children, supporting prosecution of offenders, and enforcing child marriage laws at the district and local levels. Different states have appointed District Magistrates, Child Development Project Officers, Panchayat Secretaries, and other government functionaries as CMPOs. They coordinate with police, the judiciary, child welfare committees, and community organisations to prevent child marriages.
Prevention
One of the primary responsibilities of CMPOs is to stop child marriages before they occur. This begins with community sensitisation programmes that educate families on the legal, social, and health-related consequences of child marriage. CMPOs conduct awareness campaigns in schools, religious institutions, and local Panchayats, using pamphlets, posters, social media, and other communication materials to spread awareness. Messaging in local languages and culturally relevant formats ensures that even the most vulnerable communities understand the risks associated with child marriage.
Partnership
CMPOs collaborate with Panchayat officers and municipal authorities to establish systems of vigilance that help track potential cases of child marriage. They also coordinate with healthcare providers, such as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers, to identify children at risk and provide immediate interventions. At the village level, they engage with local bodies, community leaders, religious heads, and influencers to develop localised prevention plans and create an environment of vigilance so potential cases can be identified and addressed before they escalate. Such collaborations are essential to eliminating child marriage.
Protection
Beyond prevention, CMPOs are responsible for protecting children at imminent risk of marriage. When a child marriage is about to occur, they must act swiftly to rescue the child and keep them safe. This includes visiting the homes of those involved, coordinating with the police, and ensuring that the child is presented before a Child Welfare Committee or the appropriate judicial authority within 24 hours.
CMPOs also educate families about the legal consequences of child marriage and the criminal charges they may face under the PCMA and related laws. This dual approach—protective intervention and legal education—helps dismantle the support system that enables child marriage. In cases where families resist intervention, CMPOs approach the judicial magistrate for injunction orders to immediately halt the marriage until a more permanent resolution is reached.
They encourage children to report cases to the police and the Child Helpline and assist in filing annulment petitions in district courts and securing maintenance orders for victims. The message is clear: "Say no to child marriage, prevent it, reject it, and report it."
Prosecution
CMPOs have to ensure that those who facilitate, promote, or conduct child marriages are held accountable. They are responsible for gathering evidence, recording statements from all involved parties, and compiling reports that support criminal prosecutions. Evidence may include photographs, marriage invitations, financial receipts, and witness testimonies. By maintaining detailed records, CMPOs build legal cases against offenders, which can include parents, guardians, religious leaders, and even service providers such as bandwalas, tentwalas, and mithaiwalas, who can be prosecuted under the PCMA.
CMPOs coordinate with law enforcement agencies, including the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), so that cases progress swiftly. They facilitate the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and see to it that children are presented before judicial authorities within the mandated period. The CMPOs monitor court proceedings and follow up on cases, reinforcing that violations of child marriage laws will result in strict punitive measures.
The Way Forward
CMPOs must undergo mandatory training refreshers every six months. These sessions should cover legal updates, community engagement strategies, and advocacy skills essential for combating child marriage. Beyond formal training, capacity building should involve inter-departmental coordination. CMPOs should share best practices and learn from peers through regular performance reviews and collaborative workshops.
As India continues its journey towards a child marriage-free society, the role of CMPOs remains crucial. By ensuring these officers receive the resources, training, and community support needed, the government can drive meaningful change and protect the future of countless children.
(The author is Advisor, Policy, Just Rights for Children)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
