Child marriage in India is when a woman under the age of 18 and a man under the age of 21 is married.

Child marriage is illegal in India and yet 2335 females and 2459 males per lakh are involved in this illegal system of marriage according to the latest census results. About 67% of these marriages happen in rural areas and the remaining 33% occur in urban areas. In the states of Kerala and Karnataka, female child marriages are more and in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Daman & Diu, male child marriages are more in number. The maximum impact of this illegality is borne by the females in terms of higher maternal mortality rate and sexual exploitation. 14 million girls are forced into child marriage all over the world.

Source:http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rediff-labs-child-marriages-in-india/20170621.htm