CMPOs: Silent Guardians in India’s Fight against Child Marriage Now need to Raise Their Voice

Almost a year ago when Supreme Court of India gave a slew of directions for the elimination of child marriage, they were not just guidelines. They were carefully and meticulously etched roadmap addressing the minutest of challenges. Interestingly, the apex court had offered the most hidden and unassuming strategic changes to end this crime against children. This wasn’t the first time when Supreme Court had, in such strong words, condemned child marriage. Earlier in 2016, in another case the apex court had clearly said that sexual intercourse with a child on the pretext of marriage is nothing less than child rape. That was the first time India had given a glimpse of how the country was not in a mood to tolerate or accept child marriage anymore.

However, this time was different. The Supreme Court did not just condemn child marriage, but went a step ahead. The court gave clear guidelines to achieve the feat of child marriage free India. One of the most crucial measures that came out of the judgement was on Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs).

The court said that there must be exclusive CMPOs at district levels and they should not be burdened with any added responsibilities. Mandatory quarterly reports of the CMPOs, refresher training biannually, and a specialized police unit must be established to work in coordination of the CMPOs.

So why are the CMPOs this crucial in the fight against child marriage and why did the apex court consider them an important factor for the success of legal enforcement?

As per the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, CMPOs are the frontline officers appointed officially to prevent and are also deemed to be public servants under the law to investigate and respond to child marriage cases in their jurisdictions. From preventing solemnisation of child marriages before they occur, to rescuing minors and counselling families to filing complaints and assisting the police and courts, CMPOs form the backbone of the enforcement mechanism of the Act. T he Supreme Court, in recognition of their significance and role, has also directed the constitution of a state-level special Unit of CMPOs to address their grievances and mental health concerns in dealing with such social issues . But this, so far, remained in theory. In reality, the CMPOs have often functioned with limited powers, inadequate training, and overwhelming workloads, while managing responsibilities far beyond their primary duties.

It is no more a secret that India’s child protection laws are robust and efficient enough to bring about changes in the ecosystem. Yet there are challenges. Not in the law, but in its implementation.

In many states, CMPO positions remain vacant, or the roles are given as an additional charge to officers already burdened with multiple other responsibilities. Without a functional CMPO network, preventive action becomes reactive. The lack of dedicated personnel also weakens coordination with the police, Childline, and NGOs that are often the first responders in such cases. This structural neglect has a direct consequence: child marriages continue, unchecked.

As per the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat portal, there are 36,536 CMPOs in the country right now. At state government levels, various states too have taken cue from the Supreme Court guidelines and given due credit to the CMPOs. Odisha has decided to grant more powers to Panchayat Executive Officers and wardens of residential schools and designate them as CMPOs. Karnataka has designated pre-university college principals as the CMPOs.

Ending child marriage is not just about awareness; it is about accountability. And accountability requires human faces such as the officers who act before the harm occurs. We need to ensure that CMPOs are established in all districts and at various levels. Furthermore, districts with a higher prevalence of child marriage should be allocated greater CMPO manpower. It is critical that these officers are adequately trained, supported, and held responsible and accountable for their work. Establishing regular meetings with the District Administration and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) would introduce greater rigor and effectiveness in our efforts to combat child marriage.

Strengthening CMPOs means ensuring dedicated, full-time appointments, providing specialised training in child rights, gender sensitivity, and law enforcement, equipping them with resources, mobility, and community linkages, integrating their work with Child Welfare Committees, police, and district administration, and lastly and importantly recognising and rewarding effective performance.

India’s goal to end child marriage by 2030 under the SDG framework is not far away. But it can accelerate and inch closer only if such machineries as CMPOs are given their due importance. When CMPOs are empowered, trained, and visible, every attempted child marriage has a chance to be stopped before it destroys a child’s future. When they are invisible, the silence of the system becomes a breeding ground for the crime to thrive.

It’s time to change that.

Author: Jyoti Mathur, Advisor, Policy & Research, Just Rights for Children