Though child marriage was outlawed way back in 1929, the practice still continues in Odisha. According to the Census 2011, while 0.99 per cent of boys married below the age of 10 years, their ratio was slightly higher at 1.11 per cent in case of girls in the State. According to Chief of Census Operation Bishnupada Sethi, out of a total 10,444,271 ever married males, 1, 03,467 males (0.99 per cent) got married at the age of less than 10 years, 7,229 males (0.07 per cent) married at the age of 10-11 years and 7, 429 males (0.07 per cent) at 12-13 years. 33,458 males (0.32 per cent) married at 14-15 years, 1, 31,786 males (1.26 per cent) at 16-17 years, 6,64,522 males (6.36 per cent) at the 18-19 years and 1,878,591 males (17.99 per cent) at the age of 20-21 years.
This is despite the fact that the minimum age of a man has been fixed as 21 years as per the Marriage Act. Hence out of total male population, 28, 26, 297 persons married before attending the age of 21 years, pointed out the Census report. Similarly, out of total 11,992,001 ever married females, 1,32,651 females (1.11 per cent) married at the age of less than 10 years, 38,143 females (0.32 per cent) at 10-11 years, 1,13,282 females (0.94 per cent) at 12-13 years, 7,48,960 females (6.25 per cent) at 14-15 years, 18,53,777 females (15.46 per cent) at 16-17 years though the minimum age of girls is 18 years.
Hence, 28,86, 813 females married before attaining the age of 18 years.Similarly, the Census reveals that out of 99, 41,711 currently married males in the State, 12, 28, 298 males (12.35 per cent) married in the last 4 years (duration of marriage of 0-4 years). 13, 34,456 males (13.42 per cent) in last 5-9 years; 24, 49, 981 males (24.64 per cent) in 10-19 years; 20,61,423 males (20.74 per cent) in 20-29 years; 12,80,122 males (12.88 per cent) in 30-39 years and11,01,024 males (11.07 per cent) married in last 40 years and above. Similarly, out of 10,247,249 currently married females, 13, 34,625 females (13.02 per cent) married in last 4 years; 14, 20,638 females (13.86 per cent) in last 5-9 years; 25, 74,099 females (25.12 per cent) in 10-19 years; 21,14,731 females (20.64 per cent) in 20-29 years; 12, 83,233 females (12.52 per cent) in 30-39 years and 10,56,541 females (10.31 per cent) married in last 40 years and above. There is an excess of 3, 05,538 currently married females than currently married males, which indicates prevalence of polygamy or migration of males.
The Census also reveals that total 51, 3,101 minor boys and total 3, 91,774 minor girls got married in Odisha during last 9 years. While among the SCs, 1, 03,173 minor boys and 82,432 minor girls married in the State in the last 9 years, 2, 09,538 minor ST boys and 1, 19,858 minor ST girls married over the last 9 years.