Recommending pre-marital psychological tests for couples before marriage…..

Bhopal/New Delhi: In one shocking incident from Meghalaya, newly wed Sonam Raghuvanshi allegedly murdered her husband Raja Raghuvanshi from Indore just days after their wedding, during what was supposed to be their honeymoon. Such horrific incidents have sent shockwaves across the country, raising pertinent questions about the risks of marrying ‘strangers’ — and whether more rigorous psychological checks could prevent such tragedies.

Psychometric evaluations, which measure personality traits, aggression potential, emotional stability and impulsiveness, can offer valuable pre-marital insights,
These incidents of honeymoon murders underline psychological risks that conventional matchmaking, based on family background, income, and horoscope, cannot detect. It’s not about whether the marriage is arranged or by love. Psychopathic traits — such as thrill-seeking violence, absence of empathy, lack of guilt — remain hidden beneath superficial charm. A person may appear ideal during initial meetings, but harbour traits that surface only in vulnerable, high-stress situations like troubled marriages.

Much like thalassemia or HIV tests, psychometric evaluation could become a responsible step before marriage. In more advanced countries, functional brain imaging like fMRI or PET scans also reveals abnormalities in brain areas controlling impulse and judgment — predictors of dangerous behaviour.
However, such suggestions are not without complexity or controversy.

I, strongly recommend pre-marital counselling, which is a less intrusive, more holistic process,
While this idea holds merit, the practical application comes with challenges. A psychometric test is not like a blood test. Results can be manipulated, influenced by mood, recent trauma or stress. For example, a person going through temporary distress may score abnormally, but that does not define them for life or marriage.
As society evolves, so must its approach to marriage. Psychometric assessments — if used — must be applied sensitively, as a tool for insight, not as a final verdict

Couples should ideally begin such counselling at least two months before the wedding to allow for multiple sessions. One conversation is rarely enough. People need time to reflect, digest and return with deeper insights or doubts. It’s not about imposing or policing relationships, but building self and mutual awareness.
Family counselling is needed in cases where parents pressurise reluctant young adults into marriage, especially when past trauma, body image issues or sexual orientation fears lead some to avoid marriage altogether. Parents, too, need clarity — why they insist, what fears drive them. Marriage should never be about compulsion, but understanding.
Whether love or arranged, the risk of unseen personality disorders cannot be ignored. But psychometric assessments — if used — must be applied sensitively, as a tool for insight, not as a final verdict.

Marriage is a lifelong partnership, not a gamble. We need to make it safer and wiser — not scarier.

*Dr. Narresh Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist, and Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state Health organizations.    He’s  the Principle Investigator – Association of Studies In Behavioural Science),                 Dr. Purohit is also Advisor-National Mental Health Program .