Prohibition Degree of Marriāge in Hindu Marriage Act

According to Section 3(g) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a marriage between two Hindus is prohibited if they are related to each other within the prohibited degrees of relationship unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits such a marriage. 

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, marriages are prohibited within the “sapinda” relationship and within certain degrees of prohibited relationships. These rules apply to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

The relationship prohibition extends to these specified degrees, meaning you cannot marry anyone within these relationships unless a specific custom allows it.

• Sapinda Relationship: Individuals are considered sapinda if they share a common ancestor within five generations through the father and three generations through the mother.

Explanation

1. Father’s Side (Sapinda Prohibition up to 5 Generations):

• Ego (You)

• Father

• Grandfather

• Great-Grandfather

• Great-Great-Grandfather

• Great-Great-Great-Grandfather

2. Mother’s Side (Sapinda Prohibition up to 3 Generations):

• Ego (You)

• Mother

• Maternal Grandfather

• Maternal Great-Grandfather

• Prohibited Degrees of Direct Relationship: 

Direct Lineal Ascendants:

• Great-Great-Great-Grandparents (Father’s Side)

• Great-Great-Grandparents (Father’s Side)

• Great-Grandparents (Father’s Side)

• Grandparents (Father’s Side)

• Parents (Father’s Side)

• Great-Great-Great-Grandparents (Mother’s Side)

• Great-Great-Grandparents (Mother’s Side)

• Great-Grandparents (Mother’s Side)

• Grandparents (Mother’s Side)

• Parents (Mother’s Side)

2. Direct Lineal Descendants:

• Children

• Grandchildren

• Great-Grandchildren

• Prohibited Degrees of collateral Relationship: Marriage is prohibited between:• Brother and sister (full, half, or uterine)• Uncle and niece, aunt and nephew• First cousins• Ancestors and descendants (e.g., uncle and niece)Exceptions to these prohibitions can be made if local customs allow such marriages.

Collateral Relationships:

• Siblings: Ego’s brother and sister.

• Uncles and Aunts: Both paternal and maternal uncles and aunts.

• First Cousins: Children of uncles and aunts.

• Second Cousins: In some customs, second cousins may also be prohibited, but this can vary.