Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 4: A college in Goa has introduced a certificate course on marriage readiness, encouraging young people to prepare for married life with the same seriousness they devote to building their careers.

The 15-day course, titled ‘Marriage Readiness: Preparing for Healthy and Lasting Relationships’, has been introduced by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Goa College of Home Science. It will be conducted from December 2 to 17, 2026.

College principal Mahesh Pai told PTI that marriage readiness involves more than preparing for a wedding. It requires an understanding of oneself, one's partner, relationships, commitment and the responsibilities of married life.

The course aims to help participants explore these aspects and develop a deeper understanding of building healthy and lasting relationships.

It is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, unmarried young adults and others interested in developing healthy relationships and preparing for marriage.

The initiative comes after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced at an event in Panaji on Sunday that the Goa government intends to introduce pre-marriage counselling across the state to help reduce divorces.

According to state law department figures, more than 3,000 marriage- and divorce-related petitions were filed in Goa's civil courts between 2022 and 2025, including 947 in 2024 alone.

The course curriculum includes sessions on dating and its purpose, self-awareness and the need to belong, masculinity and femininity and their influence on relationships, and understanding the difference between a wedding and marriage.

The college's brochure raises the question of how much time people invest in preparing for marriage and family life compared to the nearly 20 years spent preparing for a career.