Anirud Chathanath, Christ (Deemed to be University)
Introduction
Prime Minister Modi mentioned the idea to raise the marriageable age of women to 21 years, bringing them in line with men, in his Independence Day Speech of 2021. It is based on a suggestion given to NITI Aayog in December 2020 by the Centre's Task Force on Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Nutritional Levels, and Related Issues, which was formed to look into 'matters relating to age of maternity, implications of lowering MMR, improvement of health and nutrition levels, and associated topics.'1
The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which intends to extend the lawful marital age for women from 18 to 21, will be applicable to all communities across the nation and, once approved, will supersede all existing marriage and personal laws.
The Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani and seeks amendments to the 2006 law, has been forwarded to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for further examination.
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