ASSIGNMENT- 4

SPECIAL MARRIAGE ACT, 1954

INTRODUCTION:
Inter-caste and inter-religion marriages are covered by the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Intercaste marriage occurs when two persons from different castes marry. As a result, the
Special Marriage Act is a one-of-a-kind statute designed to allow for a unique type of
marriage by registration in which the spouses do not have to renounce their religion.

1. CHAPTER SUMMARY

 CHAPTER I: PRELIMINARY
Marriages between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists
are all covered under this Act. Except for Jammu and Kashmir, this statute
extends to all Indian states. This Act applies not just to Indian citizens of
various castes and religions, but also to Indian people living in other countries.

 CHAPTER II: SOLEMNIZATION OF SPECIAL MARRIAGES

The following are the requirements for a marriage under this Act:
The bridegroom must be at least 21 years old and the bride must be at least 18
years old at the time of the wedding. This is the minimum age at which a boy
or a girl can marry. Both parties must be monogamous at the time of their
marriage; that is, they must be unmarried and have no living spouse at the
time.
The parties must be mentally fit, i.e., sane at the time of marriage, in order to
be able to make their own decisions. They should not be linked to one another
by blood; that is, they should not be subjected to prohibited relationships that
might otherwise serve as a basis for discrimination.

 CHAPTER III: REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGES CELEBRATED IN

OTHER FORMS
 CHAPTER IV: CONSEQUENCES OF MARRIAGE UNDER THIS ACT
 CHAPTER V: RESTITUTION OF CONJUGAL RIGHTS AND JUDICIAL
SEPARATION
 CHAPTER VI: NULLITY OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
 CHAPTER VII: JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE
 CHAPTER VIII: MISCELLANEOUS