The existing common laws

Parliament has passed laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance for people from any faith to follow

Illustration by Nilanjan Das

The Special Marriage Act, 1954

• Religion-neutral, this Act allows any person from any religion to get married under its provisions. The Act provides legal support to inter-religious/inter-caste marriages. No religious formalities have to be carried out under the Act. The groom must be 21 and the bride at least 18 at the time of marriage and must not be related by blood