What is the legal age for marriage in India, and what happens if it's violated?

The legal minimum age for marriage in India is 18 for women and 21 for men. A marriage conducted below this age is not automatically void, but it is voidable — meaning the party who was a minor at the time of marriage can approach the court to have it annulled, generally within a specified period after attaining majority.

Separately, solemnising or facilitating a child marriage is itself a punishable offence — those responsible for arranging or conducting it, including parents or guardians who knowingly permit it, can face criminal liability under child marriage prevention law.

If the marriage hasn't yet taken place, concerned family members or child welfare authorities can approach a court or the local Child Marriage Prohibition Officer to have it prevented before it happens. If you believe a marriage is being planned in violation of the age requirement, it would be advisable to consult a lawyer or approach local authorities promptly, since preventing it beforehand is generally more effective than challenging it afterward.