Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Bare Act PDF Download
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is an important Indian legislation that governs marriage and related matrimonial matters among Hindus. It lays down the conditions for a valid Hindu marriage and contains provisions relating to marriage ceremonies, registration, judicial separation, divorce, maintenance, custody of children and other matrimonial issues.
Enacted as Act No. 25 of 1955, the legislation is an essential resource for law students studying family law, Hindu law and matrimonial disputes. It also provides the legal framework for determining the validity of marriages and seeking remedies before the competent courts.
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Overview
- Act Name: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
- Act Number: 25 of 1955
- Enactment Date: 18 May 1955
- Jurisdiction: India
- Subject: Hindu Law and Family Law
- Official Source: India Code, Ministry of Law and Justice
Chapters and Sections of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
The Act is organised into six chapters covering preliminary provisions, Hindu marriages, matrimonial remedies, divorce, court procedure and miscellaneous matters.
Chapter I – Preliminary (Sections 1–4)
Covers the short title and extent of the Act, its application, definitions and overriding effect.
Chapter II – Hindu Marriages (Sections 5–8)
Deals with the conditions for a Hindu marriage, ceremonies for solemnisation and registration of Hindu marriages. Section 6 has been omitted.
Chapter III – Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Judicial Separation (Sections 9–10)
Covers restitution of conjugal rights under Section 9 and judicial separation under Section 10.
Chapter IV – Nullity of Marriage and Divorce (Sections 11–18)
Deals with void and voidable marriages, divorce, alternative relief in divorce proceedings, divorce by mutual consent, restrictions on presenting certain divorce petitions, remarriage after divorce, legitimacy of children of void and voidable marriages, bigamy and contravention of specified marriage conditions.
Chapter V – Jurisdiction and Procedure (Sections 19–28A)
Covers the court in which petitions must be presented, petition requirements, procedural rules, transfer of petitions, trial and disposal, confidentiality of proceedings, reliefs, maintenance, child custody, disposal of property, appeals and enforcement of decrees and orders.
Chapter VI – Savings and Repeals (Sections 29–30)
Contains savings provisions and the repeal provision. Section 30 has been repealed.
Important Sections of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Section 5 – Conditions for a Hindu Marriage: Specifies the conditions required for a Hindu marriage under the Act.
Section 7 – Ceremonies for a Hindu Marriage: Addresses the ceremonies through which a Hindu marriage may be solemnised.
Section 8 – Registration of Hindu Marriages: Deals with the registration of Hindu marriages.
Section 9 – Restitution of Conjugal Rights: Provides for a petition for restitution of conjugal rights in the circumstances specified by the Act.
Section 10 – Judicial Separation: Provides for judicial separation while the marriage continues to subsist.
Section 11 – Void Marriages: Identifies marriages that are void under the statutory conditions.
Section 12 – Voidable Marriages: Deals with marriages that may be annulled on the grounds specified by the Act.
Section 13 – Divorce: Sets out the statutory grounds on which a divorce decree may be sought.
Section 13B – Divorce by Mutual Consent: Provides for divorce by mutual consent when the statutory requirements are met.
Section 24 – Maintenance Pendente Lite and Expenses of Proceedings: Addresses interim maintenance and litigation expenses during proceedings.
Section 25 – Permanent Alimony and Maintenance: Deals with permanent alimony and maintenance.
Section 26 – Custody of Children: Authorises orders concerning the custody, maintenance and education of minor children in proceedings under the Act.
Section 27 – Disposal of Property: Addresses specified property presented at or about the time of marriage that may belong jointly to the parties.
Download the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 Bare Act PDF
Read the Act and access its official text through the Government of India’s legislation portal.
For legal research, use the official text and check subsequent amendments and relevant judicial decisions before relying on any provision.
