Matrimonial & Family Law Acts, Sections & Legal Provisions in India
Explore important statutes and legal frameworks governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, child custody, domestic violence, family court proceedings and related matrimonial disputes in India.
Matrimonial Laws Organised by Legal Category
Acts, maintenance provisions, 498A/BNS matters, divorce remedies, child custody and procedural topics are separated below so you can quickly identify the law relevant to your matter.
Primary Matrimonial & Family Law Acts
Main statutes governing marriage, divorce, family courts, maintenance, custody and domestic violence.
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Covers Hindu marriage, restitution of conjugal rights, judicial separation, divorce, mutual consent divorce, maintenance and related matrimonial remedies.
Read Legal Guide 1954Special Marriage Act, 1954
Governs civil marriages irrespective of religion and contains provisions relating to solemnisation, registration, matrimonial relief and divorce.
Read Related Guide 2005Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
Provides civil remedies including protection, residence, monetary, custody and compensation-related reliefs in domestic violence proceedings.
Read Legal Guide 1956Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956
Contains provisions relating to maintenance obligations involving spouses, children, parents and certain dependants under Hindu law.
Read Maintenance Guide 1984Family Courts Act, 1984
Establishes Family Courts and explains their jurisdiction over matrimonial, maintenance, custody and other family-related disputes.
Read Jurisdiction Guide 1961Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
Prohibits giving, taking and demanding dowry and is frequently relevant to matrimonial cruelty and dowry-related criminal disputes.
Read Related Guide 1890Guardians and Wards Act, 1890
Relevant to guardianship and child custody disputes where the welfare and best interests of the child remain central considerations.
Read Child Custody Guide 1956Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
Covers natural and testamentary guardianship of Hindu minors and works alongside other guardianship and child custody laws.
Read Related Guide 1939Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939
Provides statutory grounds on which a Muslim woman may seek dissolution of marriage through court proceedings.
Read Related Guide 1936Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936
Governs marriage, divorce and matrimonial reliefs for Parsis, including provisions concerning maintenance and alimony.
Read Related Guide 1869Divorce Act, 1869
Provides the statutory framework relevant to divorce and matrimonial reliefs for Christians in India.
Read Related Guide 2019Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019
Addresses instant triple talaq and provides statutory protections and remedies in relation to the prohibited practice.
Read Related Guide 1986Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986
A key statute concerning rights and financial provisions relating to divorced Muslim women.
Read Related Guide Personal LawsOther Marriage & Divorce Laws
Read about the Indian Divorce Act, Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, Muslim matrimonial laws and other legal frameworks governing marriage and divorce.
Read Comparative Guide 2026 GuideUniform Civil Code & State-Specific Family Laws
Understand how UCC developments and state-specific frameworks may affect marriage, divorce, maintenance, live-in relationships and child custody.
Read UCC GuideMaintenance & Alimony Provisions
Interim maintenance, permanent alimony and other financial reliefs arising during or after matrimonial proceedings.
Interim Maintenance – Section 24 HMA
Interim maintenance and litigation expenses during pending matrimonial proceedings under the Hindu Marriage Act.
Read Interim Maintenance Guide S. 25 HMAPermanent Alimony – Section 25 HMA
Permanent alimony and maintenance after matrimonial relief, subject to the facts, income and circumstances of the parties.
Read Alimony Guide S. 125 CrPC / 144 BNSSMaintenance – Section 125 CrPC / Section 144 BNSS
Maintenance proceedings for eligible wives, children and parents, including interim and ad-interim maintenance issues.
Read Maintenance Provision Interim OrdersInterim & Ad-Interim Maintenance Orders
Interim financial support during proceedings, including the distinction between provisional orders and final maintenance determination.
Read Interim Maintenance Guide498A, BNS & Matrimonial Criminal Proceedings
Important criminal provisions and remedies commonly involved in matrimonial disputes.
Section 498A IPC – Matrimonial Cruelty
Legacy IPC provision dealing with cruelty by husband or relatives, frequently arising in matrimonial criminal litigation.
Read 498A Guides S. 85 BNSSection 85 BNS – Cruelty by Husband or Relatives
The current BNS framework concerning matrimonial cruelty allegations, alongside related procedural and evidentiary issues.
Read Section 85 BNS Guides S. 69 BNSSection 69 BNS – Deceitful Means / Promise to Marry
Explains the separate BNS offence involving sexual intercourse by deceitful means or a promise to marry without intention to fulfil it.
Read Section 69 Guide DV ActDomestic Violence Proceedings & Reliefs
Protection, residence, monetary relief, custody and compensation-related remedies under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
Read DV Act Guide Pre-Arrest BailAnticipatory Bail in 498A / Matrimonial Criminal Cases
Pre-arrest protection and related safeguards where matrimonial allegations may expose an accused to arrest or coercive proceedings.
Read Anticipatory Bail Guide QuashingQuashing of 498A & Matrimonial Criminal Cases
Legal principles relevant to quashing matrimonial FIRs or criminal proceedings where the statutory grounds are satisfied.
Read Quashing & 498A GuidesDivorce & Hindu Marriage Act Remedies
Core matrimonial remedies under the Hindu Marriage Act and related divorce proceedings.
Restitution of Conjugal Rights
Matrimonial remedy concerning withdrawal from the society of a spouse, subject to statutory requirements and available defences.
Read HMA Guide HMAJudicial Separation
A matrimonial remedy allowing spouses to live separately without immediately dissolving the marriage.
Read Judicial Separation Guide HMAAnnulment / Void & Voidable Marriage
Legal framework for challenging the validity of a marriage where statutory grounds for void or voidable marriage are made out.
Read Annulment Law DivorceContested Divorce
Court-based divorce proceedings on statutory grounds such as cruelty, desertion and other legally recognized grounds.
Read Contested Divorce Guide DivorceMutual Consent Divorce
Joint divorce proceedings based on mutual consent, settlement terms and compliance with the applicable statutory process.
Read Mutual Divorce GuideChild Custody, Marriage Registration & NRI Matters
Other important family-law proceedings relating to children, registration and cross-border matrimonial disputes.
Child Custody & Visitation
Custody, visitation and guardianship disputes with the welfare and best interests of the child as the central consideration.
Read Child Custody Guide RegistrationMarriage Registration
Documentation, registration procedure and legal requirements relating to registration of marriage.
Read Registration Guide NRINRI Divorce & Foreign Decrees
Cross-border matrimonial issues including foreign divorce decrees, jurisdiction, appearance and recognition in India.
Read NRI Divorce GuideProcedure, Transfer & Evidence
Procedural topics that may affect how matrimonial litigation is filed, transferred and proved before courts.
Transfer of Matrimonial Cases
Transfer and coordination issues where divorce, DV, maintenance or criminal matrimonial proceedings are pending in different courts or cities.
Read Transfer-Related Guides EvidenceEvidence in Matrimonial Cases
Financial records, electronic material, affidavits, documents and other evidence relevant to divorce, maintenance and matrimonial litigation.
Read Evidence & Maintenance GuideWhich Matrimonial Law Applies to Your Case?
The applicable statute can depend on the nature of the marriage, personal law, place of marriage, relief sought and the facts of the dispute. Before filing a matrimonial proceeding, it is important to identify the correct legal framework and court jurisdiction.
Discuss Your MatterCommon Issues Covered by These Laws
- Contested and mutual consent divorce
- Maintenance, interim maintenance and alimony
- Child custody, visitation and guardianship
- Domestic violence and residence-related reliefs
- Restitution of conjugal rights and judicial separation
- Marriage registration and matrimonial jurisdiction
Legal Information Notice: This page is intended for general informational purposes only. The law applicable to a matrimonial dispute depends on the individual facts, statutory provisions, amendments and judicial interpretation. This information should not be treated as a substitute for professional legal advice.