Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Child marriages are illegal in India. It is an offence and punishable crime.
Reason (R): Age at which the girl marries has a great impact on the fertility of the girl.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Child marriage adversely affects health, fertility, education, and social well-being; hence it is prohibited by law.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

• The question gives an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R) and asks which option best describes their relationship.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Assertion (A) is correct: child marriage is prohibited in India (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006) and is a punishable offence.

• Reason (R) is correct: the age at which a girl marries affects her reproductive span and hence her fertility.

• However, the effect of age at marriage on fertility is a demographic fact; it is not the reason why the law makes child marriage an offence. So (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).