Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, for heirs of husband, father or mother:

Rule 3 of s. 16 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 applies the order and rules that would have applied had the husband, father or mother "died intestate in respect thereof immediately after the intestate's death". Section 17 is a separate scheme for marumakkattayam and aliyasantana families, and no rule limits these heirs to males.