India’s Early‑Marriage & Fertility Trends: Impact of Education‑Centred Policies (NFHS‑5 to NFHS‑6)

Key Insight

Education schemes are slashing child marriage and fertility – a UPSC priority.

Key Facts

1. प्रारंभिक विवाह (18 से पहले) राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर NFHS‑5 और NFHS‑6 के बीच 23.3% से 20.1% तक गिरा।
2. Dadra & Nagar Haveli और Daman & Diu ने सबसे बड़ी गिरावट (‑10 प्रतिशत अंक) देखी।
3. Andaman & Nicobar ने 7.4 प्रतिशत अंक की गिरावट दर्ज की; Nagaland ने 4.6 अंक की वृद्धि देखी।
4. महिलाओं की शिक्षा (≥10 वर्ष) में वृद्धि और बाल विवाह में गिरावट के बीच सहसंबंध –0.40 (p=0.018) है।
5. कुल प्रजनन दर (TFR) अब 1.9‑2.0 है, जो प्रतिस्थापन स्तर 2.1 से नीचे है।
6. पाँच राज्य प्रतिस्थापन से ऊपर हैं: Bihar (2.7) और UP, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep (प्रत्येक 2.2)।
7. मुख्य नीतियाँ: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Right to Education Act (2009), Mid‑Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Kanyashree Prakalpa, और Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006).

Background

The government uses school programmes to keep girls in education and delay marriage. This links directly to GS‑1 topics on population trends and to GS‑2 issues of law and policy implementation. The data show that education works better than family‑planning alone once fertility transition is complete.

UPSC Syllabus

• Prelims_GS — Demographics and Social Sector
• GS1 — Population and Associated Issues
• GS2 — Functions and responsibilities of Union and States
• Prelims_CSAT — Basic Numeracy
• GS2 — Government policies and interventions for development
• GS1 — Role of Women and Women's Organization
• GS2 — Issues relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
• Prelims_GS — Public Policy and Rights Issues
• Prelims_GS — Physical Geography of India
• Prelims_GS — National Current Affairs

Mains Angle

In a GS‑1 or GS‑2 answer, discuss how education‑centred schemes have reduced child marriage and fertility, and suggest further steps to strengthen the Child Marriage Act and expand secondary education in high‑fertility states.