As of 8 November 2026, what is the position under India’s general criminal law and the Hindu Marriage…
In Joseph Shine v. Union of India, the Supreme Court invalidated the former criminal adultery offence. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 did not reenact it. Section 13(1)(i)…
Choose your answer
As of 8 November 2026, what is the position under India’s general criminal law and the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 on adultery between consenting civilian adults, standing alone?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer B
In Joseph Shine v. Union of India, the Supreme Court invalidated the former criminal adultery offence. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 did not reenact it.
Section 13(1)(i) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 retains adultery as a ground for divorce.
Option feedback
Option A
Consensual adultery alone is not a standalone general criminal offence, and the Hindu Marriage Act retains it as a divorce ground.
Option B
The Supreme Court invalidated the former criminal adultery provision, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 did not reenact it. The Hindu Marriage Act retains adultery as a divorce ground.
Option C
The civil consequence remains, but the former standalone criminal offence does not.
Option D
The Hindu Marriage Act retains the divorce ground.
Practice for these exams
-
All India Bar Examination (AIBE)
Subject revision
See pack details on LawMint.net -
UGC NET Law
Subject revision
See pack details on LawMint.net -
IIT Kharagpur LL.M. Entrance
Subject revision
See pack details on LawMint.net -
West Bengal Judicial Services
-
CLAT PG
Subject revision for a passage-based exam
-
CUET PG Law (LL.M.)
Subject revision
-
AILET PG
Subject revision
-
Supreme Court Law Clerk and Research Associate
Subject revision
-
Bihar Judicial Services
Subject revision
-
Uttarakhand Judicial Services
Subject revision