The term "Hindu" under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 includes:

Section 2(3) provides that the expression "Hindu" is to be construed as if it included a person who, "though not a Hindu by religion", is a person to whom the Act applies under section 2. So Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists covered by section 2 are Hindus for the purposes of the Act.