Archive · 21 Sep 2025
SC Directs States to Implement Anand Marriage Act
The Supreme Court told states and territories to follow the Anand Marriage Act, which lets Sikhs register their marriages.
This is because many places hadn't made the rules for this yet.
The Anand Marriage Act, from 1909, allowed Sikh marriages, but didn't originally have registration details.
An update in 2012 said states should set up registration, but many didn't.
The court's order wants to fix this.
However, the Anand Marriage Act is short and doesn't cover things like divorce, so Sikhs often still use the Hindu Marriage Act for some legal matters, which some feel doesn't fully recognize them as distinct.
The Supreme Court directed 25 states and UTs to frame rules for registering Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act.
The Anand Marriage Act of 1909 legally sanctified marriages performed via the Anand Karaj ceremony.
The 2012 amendment instructed states to create rules for registration, but many hadn't done so.
Without registration, Sikh couples faced issues regarding residence, maintenance, and inheritance.
Critics argue the Act's brevity and lack of provisions, especially for divorce, are major drawbacks.
- Who
- Supreme Court, States and Union Territories, Sikh couples
- What
- The Supreme Court directed 17 states and 8 UTs to create rules for the registration of Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act.
- When
- Earlier this month
- Where
- India
- Why
- To ensure Sikh couples can legally register their marriages under their religious tradition.
Criticisms of the Act
Views on SC Directive
Completeness of Act
Criticisms of the Act
Critics argue the Anand Marriage Act is incomplete, lacking details like divorce provisions, unlike the Hindu Marriage Act.
Views on SC Directive
The Supreme Court's directive aims to implement existing legal provisions.
Distinct Identity
Criticisms of the Act
Some believe the Act does not fully recognize Sikhs as a distinct community due to its limited scope.
Views on SC Directive
The Supreme Court's decision attempts to create a more neutral approach to Sikh marriage registration
- Act Name
- Anand Marriage Act
- Year of Original Act
- 1909
- Amendment Act Year
- 2012
- Supreme Court Directive
- States and UTs to frame marriage registration rules
- Number of States and UTs Affected
- 25
- Marriage Act used for Divorce
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1955