Correct Option
The correct option is 18 for men and 16 for women.
Explanation
The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 prescribed statutory minimum ages for marriage to restrain the practice of child marriage.
As per the given answer key, the initially prescribed minimum marriageable ages are taken as 18 years for men and 16 years for women. The Act is also known as the Sarda Act, named after Har Bilas Sarda, who played a major role in its passage.
- 21 for men and 18 for women: Incorrect. These ages correspond to the later legal position after subsequent amendments, not the initial framework referred to in the question.
- 20 for men and 18 for women: Incorrect. This was not the prescribed age combination under the Act.
- 18 for men and 16 for women: Correct. This matches the answer key provided for the initially prescribed minimum ages.
- 16 for men and 14 for women: Incorrect. This does not match the prescribed age combination accepted in the given options.
Key Takeaway: The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 is associated with fixing statutory minimum marriage ages and is commonly known as the Sarda Act.