BENGALURU: As the saying goes that adolescence is a turbulent phase of life, Karnataka is witnessing a worrying rise in cases of underage pregnancies, triggered by a mix of emotional vulnerability, lack of legal awareness, social pressures and unchecked exposure to digital content. Data from the Women and Child Welfare Department shows that the problem has steadily grown over the last few years, posing serious social and public health concerns.
In the last three years alone, 2,320 minor girls have been reported pregnant across the state. In the current year, up to the end of October, 749 cases have already been recorded. Officials say these figures reflect only reported cases and that the actual numbers could be higher, as several incidents go unreported due to fear of stigma and social backlash.
Authorities point out that excessive exposure to sexually explicit content through mobile phones, reels, web series and pornographic material is influencing teenagers at an impressionable age. This, combined with romanticised portrayals of relationships, has led many minors to enter relationships without understanding the emotional, physical and legal consequences. In several cases, older youths exploit this vulnerability, resulting in pregnancies that later turn into criminal cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
However, officials note a disturbing trend where families opt for compromise or mediation at the initial stages, fearing damage to social reputation. Due to lack of cooperation, evidence or pressure on victims, many accused manage to escape strict punishment, weakening the deterrent effect of the law.
According to the department, 729 cases of minor pregnancies have been reported in districts including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chitradurga, Gadag and Kolar in recent years. Alarmed by the trend, the state government amended the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, during the last monsoon session, strengthening provisions to act against those facilitating or promoting child marriages, which remain a key contributor to early pregnancies.
To prevent such incidents, the Women and Child Welfare Department has intensified capacity-building programmes at district and taluk levels, involving officials from multiple departments. The Child Helpline (1098) continues to function round the clock, enabling swift intervention whenever a child in distress is reported.
Institutional mechanisms such as Child Welfare Committees, Child Special Police Units, Child Care Institutions and District Child Protection Units are operational in every district to ensure protection, rehabilitation and long-term support for affected children. Victims are allowed to stay in care centres until they turn 18 and are provided assistance up to the age of 23.
The government has also announced financial and medical support. Each victim receives a one-time health assistance of Rs 6,000 for medical check-ups. Those wishing to continue education are given Rs 4,000 per month under the sponsorship scheme until the age of 18. Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per year is extended to the victim and her newborn. In October, the government issued a standard operating procedure for the treatment of pregnant minors and newborns.
Recent incidents have underlined the gravity of the issue. In August, a Class 9 student from a residential school in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district delivered a baby boy in a hostel toilet, shocking the state. Soon after, a similar case was reported in Shivamogga, where a 15-year-old girl, allegedly abused by her own brother, gave birth in her house toilet.
Three months ago, a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister reviewed the surge in child pregnancy and child marriage cases. Officials informed that 685 cases of child pregnancy were detected in 2024–25 alone, and stressed that inter-departmental coordination and strict enforcement of existing laws were being strengthened.
