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What is the permissible age for marriage for boys in India? Did the government raise the legal marriage age for girls to 21 years in 2023? CurioBlog provides insights into the concept of age of consent within Indian marriage law through the following blog.

Marriage customs in India vary across communities. While some groups tend to wait until their late twenties or early thirties, others may not adhere to the legal age for marriage in India. Indian marriage laws, respecting diverse religious beliefs, establish the legal age for marriage. These laws primarily emphasize the age of consent to prevent child marriages. Discover the legally recognized age for marriage for both boys and girls in the blog below, and explore the discussions around increasing the legal marriage age for girls in India in 2023.

Legal Age of Marriage in India 2023

Historically, Hinduism did not prescribe any specific age limit for marriage. The concept of age of consent was introduced through the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955. According to Section 5 (iii) of the Act, the groom should have reached the age of 21, while the bride should have attained the age of 18 at the time of marriage. This same age of consent for marriage in India is upheld in the conditions related to solemnization of special marriages under Section 4 of the Special Marriage Act of 1954. The Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, as well as the more recent Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006, prohibits marriage before the age of maturity. There is a proposed amendment to increase the legal marriage age for girls in India to 21 years in 2022. However, these amendments are still pending approval by the parliament before becoming effective. If you come across instances of child marriage in violation of applicable laws, please report them to the authorities through family lawyers in India.

Marriage Age for Girls in India 2023

In most personal laws and under the Special Marriage Act of 1954, the legally recognized age for marriage for women in India is set at 18 and above. However, for Muslims, marriage eligibility is often determined by reaching the age of puberty. Typically, girls above the age of 15 are considered to have reached the legal age for marriage in India. Nonetheless, recent proposals suggest increasing the legal marriage age for girls in India to 21 years in 2022. It’s worth noting that data on child marriages indicates a contrary trend in societal practices.

Legal Age for Marriage in India 2023 for Boys

In Indian law, husbands are legally responsible for the maintenance of their wives, which is why the legal marriage age for males is higher than that for females. In general, a male is required to be at least 21 years old to marry in accordance with marriage laws. Among Muslim men, reaching puberty is often seen as the threshold for marriage.

Best Age to Get Married According to Science

Marriage is the most common form of cultural union in human society, primarily for procreation. Although the rituals may differ, the ultimate goal is to establish a legally recognized union between a man and a woman within civil society.

When examining the ideal marriage age for girls and boys from a reproductive science perspective, puberty is often considered a significant milestone. Puberty signifies the age at which a person’s body undergoes the necessary developments to become an adult. Typically, girls experience puberty between the ages of 10 to 15, while boys go through it around 13 to 16 years old. However, early marriage for girls who have just reached puberty is associated with a higher maternal mortality rate.

Also Read: Mutual Consent Divorce in India

From a psychological standpoint, maturity doesn’t necessarily correlate with age but rather with life experiences. Marriage requires a significant level of maturity from both girls and boys.

Scientific research does not provide a definitive answer regarding the ideal age for marriage. Some studies suggest that people who marry between the ages of 28 to 32 are less likely to divorce. Other research indicates that the optimal age for marriage, according to science, falls between 24 to 30 years. However, researchers acknowledge that everyone’s life is unique, and no single age fits all. Each individual faces their own challenges, and married life presents different hurdles for different people. Consequently, relying solely on scientific data may not offer clear guidance on whether to marry early or wait until one’s late twenties.

FAQs on Legal Age of Marriage in India

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When a marriage reaches its culmination, it marks the conclusion of a mutual commitment to lifelong togetherness between the husband and wife. However, in cases where love has faded, things can become complicated if one spouse seeks a divorce while the other wishes to continue the relationship. Usually, both the husband and wife come to realize that the marriage has reached its end. Nonetheless, individual reasons may exist as to why one spouse does not consent to a mutual divorce, leading to difficulties for both parties. This bitter experience can be somewhat eased by choosing the smoother path of mutual divorce. Although mutual consent divorce has its own challenges, it’s wise to be informed before proceeding with the process.

Marriage is a personal event in an individual’s life, deeply rooted in traditions across all religions, whether in India or elsewhere. Nevertheless, it is governed by civil laws to address disputes and protect people’s well-being while upholding societal values. Consent holds significance in these laws, allowing couples the option to annul a marriage if it was contracted when they were too young or not of legal age, provided it goes against their wishes.

Mutual Divorce in India

While marriage ideally involves the consent of both spouses, not all unions remain harmonious. Some relationships face irreparable issues, and in such cases, it is often wiser to let go rather than endure unbearable pain.

Mutual consent divorce is a peaceful, cost-effective option for both parties compared to other alternatives. Due to the simplicity of the mutual divorce process, couples sometimes transition from contested divorces to mutual consent divorces when they tire of the unnecessary legal battles. Familiarity with the process makes the journey easier. Therefore, this article aims to shed light on all aspects related to mutual consent divorce in India.

How to Apply for Mutual Divorce – Mutual Divorce Procedure

If you and your spouse have decided to part ways amicably, this is a sensible decision. Although courts allow parties to represent themselves, seeking professional guidance from a mutual consent divorce lawyer is advisable. This can help parties understand the mutual divorce process better. To guide you through the process in India, the following steps may be helpful:

Step 1 – Separation:

According to the law, parties seeking mutual divorce must live separately for at least one year.

Step 2 – Filing the Petition:

Parties must file a mutual divorce petition through a lawyer, signed by both parties, with the family court having jurisdiction over their case.

Step 3 – Court Appearance:

After accepting the petition, the family court schedules a hearing. During this stage, the court assesses the situation, examines documents, and explores the potential for reconciliation.

Step 4 – Recording Statements:

Upon affirming the case’s facts, the court records the parties’ statements under oath.

Step 5 – First Motion:

Following the recording of both parties’ statements, the court imposes a cooling-off period of six months under the first motion in the mutual divorce process. This allows time for reflection and the possibility of reconciliation. If reconciliation occurs during this period, no further court action is necessary. However, if there is no improvement, the second motion can be initiated anytime within 18 months after the cooling-off period ends.

Step 6 – Second Motion and Final Hearing:

After the six-month period, parties may proceed with the second motion, culminating in the final hearing before the trial court.

Step 7 – Divorce Decree:

Upon confirming the case’s facts, mutual consent for divorce, and other relevant aspects, the court issues a final decree, officially dissolving the marriage.

It should be noted that, following a recent Supreme Court judgment, trial courts can waive the six-month cooling-off period if both parties desire.

Documents for Mutual Consent Divorce

Proper documentation is crucial in any divorce proceeding, including mutual consent divorce. Failure to provide required documents can lead to technical issues, even in strong cases. Thus, parties are advised to comply with the following document requirements when pursuing a mutual divorce petition:

• Marriage certificate
• Address proofs for both spouses
• Marriage photographs
• Marriage invitation card (if the marriage was arranged and conducted according to traditions)
• Family details of both husband and wife
• Occupation and income details
• Income tax statements for the past three years for both spouses
• Details of properties and valuable assets owned by the parties
• Evidence of the spouse’s separate residence for a year or more
• Evidence of failed attempts at reconciliation between husband and wife

Alimony in Mutual Divorce

Alimony, or spousal support, is a crucial aspect of mutual divorce. It represents the maintenance amount paid by the financially capable spouse to the dependent one. Alimony arrangements can vary, with either the husband or wife making payments, depending on their respective incomes. Parties can also agree to waive alimony since the court generally does not interfere in mutual divorce agreements but focuses on confirming mutual consent.

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Mutual Divorce Child Custody

Child custody can be a challenging aspect of mutual divorce, as it greatly affects the children involved. While it is ideal for parents to reach a mutual agreement on child custody before involving the courts, disputes can arise. In such cases, the court may decide child custody arrangements if both spouses cannot agree, potentially leading to a dismissal of the mutual divorce petition.

Disadvantages of Mutual Consent Divorce

Divorce itself is a challenging phase of life, but sometimes ending a marriage is necessary for a fresh start. Here are some disadvantages of the mutual divorce process:

• The mutual divorce procedure typically requires parties to live separately for at least one year before their petition is accepted.
• Settlement terms in mutual divorce are decided by the parties themselves, not the court.
• Parties must agree on custody rights in cases of mutual divorce with children.
• The court-mandated cooling-off period can be emotionally challenging for the parties.
• The mutual divorce agreement is consensual from the outset, but either spouse has the right to withdraw the proceedings at any time before the court issues a decree, which can be distressing for the other spouse if the decision is not mutual.

Mutual Consent Divorce in India – FAQs

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