In Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, 'Degrees of Prohibited Relationship' is defined under:

Section 3(g) defines the degrees of prohibited relationship. Section 3(f) separately defines sapinda relationship. Section 3(c) defines full and half blood, section 3(d) defines uterine blood, and section 3(e) defines “prescribed”. The definition must be distinguished from the custom exception in section 5(iv).

Current law: Uttarakhand Code section 4(iv), within its statutory scope, prohibits marriage within defined degrees subject to the stated custom/usage exception. Its definitions and scope must be applied instead of assuming every marriage in the state is governed solely by HMA. A material difference is that Code section 4(iv) permits the stated custom exception where the custom or usage governs one of the parties, whereas HMA section 5(iv) requires the custom or usage to govern each party. The Code proviso also requires that the custom not be against public policy and morality.