Overview
- Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare told the state assembly on Wednesday that Maharashtra is considering a rule to print the bride and groom’s dates of birth on wedding invitation cards as an age‑verification step.
- The proposal was recommended by the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the government has formally asked Rajasthan for details of its experience while consulting the rural development and law and judiciary departments.
- Officials stressed the measure is under review and has not been adopted yet, with discussions focusing on legal feasibility and how to make printers, wedding halls and organisers responsible for compliance.
- The announcement accompanies intensified enforcement: the government reported 1,495 child marriages prevented in 2024–25 and 1,434 prevented so far in 2025–26, and named Parbhani, Beed, Dhule and Solapur as high‑incidence districts.
- If approved, the change could give local child‑protection units and community workers an early warning tool to stop underage ceremonies and may require legal or rule changes and new penalties to be effective.