07/04/2026
The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) disseminated the findings of the project “A Study of Early Marriage in Assam (ASEMA) 2024–25” at its Mumbai campus on 26 March 2026. The study was undertaken to assess the current magnitude, distribution, and determinants of child marriage in the state of Assam.
A Study of Early Marriage in Assam (ASEMA) 2024–25 represents the first large-scale survey conducted in the state to evaluate the prevalence of child marriage at the state, district, and community levels, while also examining variations across socioeconomic and ethnic groups. As a scientific and empirical investigation, the study offers critical insights to support the design of effective policies and interventions aimed at eliminating child marriage in Assam. The study was funded by the Directorate of Women & Child Development, Assam, and was led by Principal Investigators Prof-Nandita Saikia, Dr. Srinivas Goli, and Prof. Hemkhothang Lhungdim.
The study is based on large scale primary data collected from 14,921 women aged 15–30 years across all thirty-five districts of Assam, covering both rural and urban areas. It provides one of the most comprehensive and recent assessments of early marriage in the state following intensified government interventions initiated after 2021.
The study finds that 25.2 percent of women aged 20–24 years in Assam were married before attaining the legal age of 18 years. Child marriage in Assam declined from 38.6 percent in NFHS-3 (2005–06) to 31.8 percent in NFHS-5 (2019–21), and further to 25.2 percent in ASEMA 2024–25. Districts including Dhubri (40.8%), Darrang (40.1%), South Salmara–Mankachar (39.0%), Morigaon (35.0%), and Chirang (35.2%) continue to report remarkably high prevalence.
Among women belonging to the poorest wealth quintile, 37.5 percent were married before 18, compared to only 11.4 percent among the richest quintiles. religion, Muslim women record the highest prevalence (38.7%), followed by Hindu (19.2%) and Christian (18.8%) women.
Educational attainment also emerges as a critical protective factor. Women with secondary or higher education are substantially less likely to experience child marriage. Child marriage is highest among General caste households (31.4%), followed by SC (25.5%), ST (21.2%), and OBC (19.7%). Advance statistical analysis shows that high school education reduces the odds by more than half, while intermediate and higher education almost entirely eliminate the risk. Religious affiliation shows a more pronounced effect. Women from Muslim households have markedly higher odds of child marriage compared with Christians and Hindus, while other religious categories do not differ significantly from the reference group.
The full report can be found at thehttps://www.iipsindia.ac.in/sites/default/files/FINAL_REPORT.pdf
Here are some pictures of the project’s proposal presentation to Honarable CM of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, training to the field team at Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati and Dissemination programs at IIPS.
