Notes on Marriages in India

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: This governs for marriages among Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

Muslim Marriage: Governed by Muslim personal law, which permits polygyny (though not promoted much in society).

Christian Marriage: Governed by the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.

Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936: This act applies to Parsi marriages.

Court Marriage: A legal marriage performed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, for inter-caste or inter-religious couples, or for those who do not wish to follow religious ceremonies.

The bridegroom and the bride must have completed the age of 21 years and 18 years respectively for any marriage.

HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955:

It applies to any person who is a Hindu by religion in any of its forms or developments, including a Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya samaj and to any person who is a Buddhist, Jain or Sikh by religion.

A marriage may be solemnized between any two Hindus if the following conditions are fulfilled.

SPECIAL MARRIAGE ACT, 1954

Under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, a marriage may be solemnized between any two persons (Male & Female) irrespective of Religion, Caste, Creed, etc., and such marriage may also be registered. In the cases of the parties whose marriage ceremony was already made in other forms and who are living together as Husband and Wife but the marriage has not been registered, such marriage also can be registered under this Act (Sec.16).

THE INDIAN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE ACT, 1872.

A Christian Marriage under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, is performed between the parties to the marriage according to the rituals that are regarded as essential and proper as per Minister or Priest of the Church. 

PARSI MARRIAGES IN INDIA

The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act 1936 in Indian law that governs marriage and divorce within the Parsi community. It specifies legal requirements for Parsi marriages, provides special courts to handle matrimonial cases.

A Parsi marriage must be solemnized by a Parsi priest through the "Ashirvad" ceremony in the presence of two Parsi witnesses. Both parties must be Parsis and cannot be related within certain specified degrees.
Any marriage that has been performed in contradiction of this provision stands void.

The marriage must be registered, with the officiating priest sending a certificate to a registrar appointed under the act. This certificate is proof of the marriage.

Parsis are prohibited from remarrying while a previous spouse is still alive and not legally divorced.  For matrimonial case, the act establishes special courts with Parsi delegates to hear cases. 

COURT MARRIAGES

Court marriage is the solemnization of marriage between a male and a female who are eligible to marry without any bar to their caste, religion, or creed in front of a court, a marriage officer and in the presence of three witnesses. You don’t need a customary celebration to solemnize your wedding in case of Court Marriage in India.  And it is not necessary for Court Marriage that both parties be of Indian nationality. Court Marriage can be done by an Indian national with a foreign national. Persons of two different gender either belonging to the same or different religion can marry each other through Court Marriage. Court Marriage is in accordance with the provisions of the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

MATRIMONIAL CASES

A matrimonial case in India depends on the religion of the couple. 
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Applies to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. It includes provisions for divorce, judicial separation, and restitution of conjugal rights.

Indian Divorce Act, 1869: Governs divorce for Christian couples.

Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939: Grants Muslim women the right to seek a divorce on specific grounds.

Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936: Applicable to Parsis and heard in special Parsi matrimonial courts.

Special Marriage Act, 1954: This secular law provides for civil marriages and applies to interfaith couples.