Chhattisgarh's Balod Becomes India’s First Child Marriage–Free District

A Historic Milestone at the National Level

Under the national campaign “Child Marriage–Free India”, launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 27 August 2024, Chhattisgarh has created a landmark example for the entire country. The state has not only adopted the campaign with seriousness but has transformed it into a community-led movement, setting a strong national precedent.

Child Marriage–Free Chhattisgarh: From Commitment to Achievement

Balod district of Chhattisgarh has emerged as the first district in India to be officially declared Child Marriage–Free. All 436 Gram Panchayats and 9 Urban Local Bodies of the district have been formally certified. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that no cases of child marriage have been reported in Balod over the last two years.

District Collector Ms. Divya Umesh Mishra credited this success to the collective efforts of the administration, elected representatives, Anganwadi workers, Mitanins, the education department, and the community. She emphasized that when governance and society work together, even deeply rooted social practices can be eliminated.

75 Gram Panchayats of Surajpur Declared Child Marriage–Free

On the occasion of the Prime Minister’s 75th birthday, 75 Gram Panchayats of Surajpur district were also declared child marriage–free. These Panchayats have similarly reported zero child marriage cases in the last two years, reflecting sustained community engagement and administrative commitment.

Historic Pledge at the National Rover–Ranger Jamboree

Another defining moment of the Child Marriage–Free Chhattisgarh Campaign occurred during the National Rover–Ranger Jamboree, where the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai administered a pledge against child marriage to more than 20,000 participants. This large-scale collective pledge was officially recorded in the Golden Book of World Records, marking a historic milestone for the state.

The idea for this initiative was proposed to District Programme Officer Mr. Sameer Pandey, followed by immediate coordination with District Collector Ms. Divya Umesh Mishra, Joint Director and State Nodal Officer Mr. Nandlal Chaudhary, and Ms. Sonal Sharma, Head of the Golden Book of World Records.

Following the successful event, the Golden Book of World Records certificate was presented to the District Collector and the Women and Child Development Department team. The event was attended by senior officials, representatives from Bharat Scouts and Guides, and administrative leadership.

Vision 2028–29: A Child Marriage–Free Chhattisgarh

The Hon’ble Chief Minister reiterated that eliminating child marriage is a top priority for the state government. The clear goal is to declare entire Chhattisgarh child marriage–free by 2028–29.

This initiative is not merely a government programme, but a long-term social transformation effort. Government–Community Partnership: A Model for the Nation The Minister for Women and Child Development highlighted that the achievements of Balod and Surajpur are inspirational for the entire country. She noted the critical role played by community participation, UNICEF’s technical support, awareness programmes, and strong monitoring systems.

Chhattisgarh as a National Inspiration

Experts believe that Chhattisgarh’s approach will significantly accelerate the Child Marriage–Free India Campaign nationwide. Through community ownership, education, sustained monitoring, and administrative accountability, the state has demonstrated that complete elimination of child marriage is achievable.

With phased expansion underway in other districts, Chhattisgarh’s journey toward becoming entirely child marriage–free by 2028–29 brings India closer to its collective vision of a safer, more equitable future for every child.