Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Madhya Pradesh Child-Marriage Reports Climb, Damoh Leads District Totals
A report says many girls in Madhya Pradesh are married before they turn 18.
It says the state recorded 538 cases in 2025, compared with 366 in 2020.
Damoh had the most reported cases among districts, with 115.
The article also says early marriage is more common in rural areas than in urban areas.
Activists say some families do not consider how early marriage can affect girls’ health and schooling.
They also say girls may not be asked whether they want to keep studying or marry.
The article describes two cases in which young mothers faced serious health problems and their children were in poor health.
The reported year-by-year figures contain an inconsistency: one section gives 538 for 2025, while another says 528.
The article says Madhya Pradesh reported 538 child marriages in 2025, compared with 366 in 2020.
Damoh had the highest reported district total in 2025, with 115 cases.
Other districts with high reported totals included Rajgarh (44), Chhatarpur (35), and Guna (28).
The article reports that 23.4% of rural women and 9% of urban women married before age 18, citing the National Family Health Survey-6.
Activists cited limited concern about early marriage’s effects, pressure around girls’ choices, and fears of family dishonour as factors.
- Who
- Girls and women in Madhya Pradesh; the figures are attributed to the state Women and Child Development Department.
- What
- The article reports child-marriage cases and discusses factors activists say contribute to the practice.
- When
- The reported comparison covers 2020 to 2025; the article was published ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, India; Damoh recorded the highest district total reported for 2025.
- Why
- Activists cited attitudes toward early marriage and pregnancy, limited attention to girls’ education and health, and fears about family reputation.
- Reported cases in 2020
- 366
- Reported cases in 2025
- 538 in the article’s main comparison; a later passage gives 528 for 2025.
- Top district in 2025
- Damoh, with 115 reported cases
- Other district totals
- Rajgarh 44; Chhatarpur 35; Guna 28; Sagar 24; Dewas 24; Narsinghpur 23
- Rural women married before 18
- 23.4%, according to the cited National Family Health Survey-6
- Urban women married before 18
- 9%, according to the cited National Family Health Survey-6
- Reported figures discrepancy
- The article gives 538 cases for 2025 in one passage and 528 in another.