Bare Act · Full Act
Parts
Preliminary · 1–4
Hindu Marriages · 5–8
Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Judicial Separation · 9–10
Nullity of Marriage and Divorce · 11–18
Jurisdiction and Procedure · 19–28A
Savings and Repeals · 29–30
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Act No. 25 of 1955 · 18th May, 1955 · Full text with footnotes.
An act to amend and codify the law relating to marriage among Hindus.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
Preliminary
Hindu Marriages
Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Judicial Separation
Nullity of Marriage and Divorce
- 11Void marriages.
- 12Voidable marriages.
- 13Divorce.
- 13AAlternate relief in divorce proceedings.
- 13BDivorce by mutual consent.
- 14No petition for divorce to be presented within one year of marriage.
- 15Divorced persons when may marry again.
- 16Legitimacy of children of void and voidable marriages.
- 17Punishment of bigamy.
- 18Punishment for contravention of certain other conditions for a Hindu marriage.
Jurisdiction and Procedure
- 19Court to which petition shall be presented.
- 20Contents and verification of petitions.
- 21Application of Act 5 of 1908.
- 21APower to transfer petitions in certain cases.
- 21BSpecial provision relating to trial and disposal of petitions under the Act.
- 21CDocumentary evidence.
- 22Proceedings to be in camera and may not be printed or published.
- 23Decree in proceedings.
- 23ARelief for respondent in divorce and other proceedings.
- 24Maintenance pendente lite and expenses of proceedings.
- 25Permanent alimony and maintenance.
- 26Custody of children.
- 27Disposal of property.
- 28Appeals from decrees and orders.
- 28AEnforcement of decrees and orders.
Savings and Repeals
Note on the Act (from the official text)
1 The Act has been extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli (w.e.f. 1-7-1965) by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Schedule I and to Pondicherry (w.e.f 1-10-1963) with modifications by Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and the Schedule I.
Source: India Code (indiacode.nic.in), Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Act No. 25 of 1955), official text as on 15th April, 2026. Section 6 is omitted and section 30 is repealed; both are listed with the official note. The Uttar Pradesh amendment is shown under section 13.
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