In India, the legal age of marriage for girls is 18, while for boys, it is 21. The minimum legal age for marriage was increased to 15 for girls in 1949, and to 18 for females and 21 for males in 1978. However, child marriage is still prevalent in India, particularly among girls from poor socio-economic backgrounds. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, aims to prevent child marriage and protect the rights and well-being of underage girls. Any marriage involving a girl below the age of 18 years is considered child marriage and is punishable by law.

There is a campaign for the government to set the legal age of marriage at 21 instead of 18, and the Indian government has cleared a proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21. However, some womens rights activists fear that the move could lead to a "real disaster".

It is important to adhere to the legal age of marriage and prevent child marriage to ensure the well-being and rights of girls.