New Delhi: With the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, a bill aiming to bring uniformity in the age of marriage for men and women has lapsed.

The Child Marriage Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2021 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports.

The Standing Committee received several extensions from time to time.

Former Lok Sabha Secretary General and constitutional expert PDT Acharya, citing the provisions of the law and the Constitution, said that with the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, "this bill has now become ineffective."

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 to increase the minimum age of marriage for women to 21 years.

Furthermore, the Bill would supersede any other law, custom or usage.

Under the 2006 Act, a person married below the minimum age can apply for annulment of the marriage within two years of attaining majority (i.e., before the age of 20). The Bill increases it to five years (ie 23 years of age).

The 17th Lok Sabha was dissolved after the members of the 18th Lok Sabha were elected in the general elections.