It is widely understood (but not officially stated) that the task force is meant to produce a rationale for raising the minimum age of marriage for women to 21, thus bringing it on a par with that for men. However, the authors choose to concentrate on delaying the age of pregnancy, even though this is the weakest link of all. As it turns out, India’s fertility rates have been declining to well below replacement levels in many States, including those with higher levels of child marriage. Raising the age at marriage by amending the law is costless and can be effortlessly achieved by legal fiat. The government will not incur any financial costs for raising the age of marriage of girls from 18 to 21 years.

Source: The Hindu August 20, 2020 18:45 UTC