{"id":13596,"date":"2025-12-28T05:32:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T05:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=13596"},"modified":"2025-12-28T05:44:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T05:44:30","slug":"the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Structure, Applicability and Scope"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"act-structure\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Act_Structure\"><\/span>Act Structure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is one of the important personal law enactments governing marriage among Hindus in India. The basic structural details of the Act are as follows:<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Act_Structure\" >Act Structure<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Basic_Details_of_the_Act\" >Basic Details of the Act<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Chapters_Under_the_Act\" >Chapters Under the Act<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Applicability_and_Scope_of_the_Act_Section_1\" >Applicability and Scope of the Act (Section 1)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Application_of_the_Act_Who_Are_Considered_Hindus_Section_21\" >Application of the Act: Who Are Considered Hindus (Section 2(1))<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Who_Are_Hindus_Buddhists_Jainas_or_Sikhs_by_Religion_Section_21_Explanation\" >Who Are Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or Sikhs by Religion (Section 2(1) Explanation)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Persons_Excluded_from_the_Application_of_the_Act_Section_22\" >Persons Excluded from the Application of the Act (Section 2(2))<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability-and-scope\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basic-details-of-the-act\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Details_of_the_Act\"><\/span>Basic Details of the Act<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Act No.<\/th><td>25 of 1955<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Act ID<\/th><td>195525<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Enactment Date<\/th><td>18 May 1955<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Enforcement Date<\/th><td>18 May 1955<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Number of Sections<\/th><td>30<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Number of Chapters<\/th><td>6<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Schedules<\/th><td>None<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Short Title<\/th><td>The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Long Title<\/th><td>An Act to amend and modify the law relating to marriage among Hindus<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ministry<\/th><td>Ministry of Law and Justice<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Department<\/th><td>Legislative Department<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chapters-under-the-act\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chapters_Under_the_Act\"><\/span>Chapters Under the Act<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is divided into six chapters which are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Chapter I:<\/strong> Preliminary (Sections 1\u20134)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chapter II:<\/strong> Hindu Marriages (Sections 5\u20138)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chapter III:<\/strong> Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Judicial Separation (Sections 9\u201310)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chapter IV:<\/strong> Nullity of Marriage and Divorce (Sections 11\u201313)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chapter V:<\/strong> Jurisdiction and Procedure (Sections 19\u201321C)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chapter VI:<\/strong> Savings and Repeals (Sections 22\u201330)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"applicability-and-scope-of-the-act\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applicability_and_Scope_of_the_Act_Section_1\"><\/span>Applicability and Scope of the Act (Section 1)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 1 of the Act defines the extent and scope of its application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It extends to the whole of India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It includes the State of Jammu and Kashmir. After 30 October 2019, the Act became applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also applies to Hindus who are domiciled in India but are residing outside India.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"application-of-the-act-who-are-considered-hindus\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Application_of_the_Act_Who_Are_Considered_Hindus_Section_21\"><\/span>Application of the Act: Who Are Considered Hindus (Section 2(1))<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 2(1) of the Act specifies the persons to whom the Hindu Marriage Act applies. The Act applies to any person who is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Hindu by religion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A follower of Hinduism in any of its forms or developments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Virashaiva.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Lingayat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A follower of the following religious movements:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>(a) Brahmo Samaj<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(b) Prarthana Samaj<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(c) Arya Samaj<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh by religion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any other person who is domiciled in India and belongs to certain communities by default, unless it is proved that Hindu law has never been applicable to them or that they are governed by a separate customary law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-are-hindus-buddhists-jainas-or-sikhs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Are_Hindus_Buddhists_Jainas_or_Sikhs_by_Religion_Section_21_Explanation\"><\/span>Who Are Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or Sikhs by Religion (Section 2(1) Explanation)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The explanation to Section 2(1) explains who shall be considered as Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or Sikhs under this Act are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, whose parents belong to any of these religions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A child whose both parents belong to any of these religions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A child whose one parent belongs to any of these religions and who is brought up as a member of that religious group or community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any person who has converted or reconverted to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"persons-excluded-from-the-application-of-the-act\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Persons_Excluded_from_the_Application_of_the_Act_Section_22\"><\/span>Persons Excluded from the Application of the Act (Section 2(2))<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 2(2) of the Act provides an exception to its application. The Act does not apply to the members of any Scheduled Tribe unless the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, directs the application of this Act to such tribes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This article provide the basic details of the Act which includes the application of this Act and the person who are considered as Hindu for the purpose of this Act and provide the other structural details of the Act.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Act Structure The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is one of the important personal law enactments governing marriage among Hindus in India. The basic structural details of the Act are as follows: Basic Details of the Act Act No. 25 of 1955 Act ID 195525 Enactment Date 18 May 1955 Enforcement Date 18 May 1955 Number<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":922,"featured_media":13623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[342,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-13596","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-family-law","8":"tag-family-law","9":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hindu-marriage-act-1955-structure-applicability.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/922"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13596"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13596\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}