Enacted as part of India's landmark Hindu Code Bills, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 revolutionized Hindu personal law by codifying and reforming marriage customs across castes and regions. It replaced fragmented traditional laws with a uniform legal framework, balancing modernity with Hindu traditions.
Key Provisions:
Monogamy (Section 5): Bans polygamy, declaring bigamous marriages void.
Conditions for Marriage (Section 5): Sets age limits (bridegroom 21+, bride 18+), mental capacity, and prohibited relationships.
Registration (Section 8): Encourages (but doesn't mandate) marriage registration for legal proof.
Divorce Grounds (Sections 13–13B): Includes cruelty, desertion, adultery, and mutual consent (with a 6-month cooling-off period).
Maintenance & Alimony (Section 24–25): Ensures financial support for spouses and children.
The Act also recognizes void/voidable marriages (Sections 11–12) and introduces judicial separation (Section 10). Amendments like the 1976 insertion of "irretrievable breakdown" (Section 13C) and 2010's compulsory marriage registration proposals reflect evolving societal norms.