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THE MAJORITY ACT, 1875

[Dated : July 30, 2024]

An Act to amend the law respecting the age of majority.

Preamble.—Whereas, in the case of persons domiciled in 2[India] it is expedient 3[to specify the age of majority]; It is hereby enacted as follows: —

  1. Short title.—This Act may be called the 4*** Majority Act, 1875.

Local extent.—5[It extends to the whole of India 6[except the State of Jammu and Kashmir]];

Commencement and operation.—and it shall come into force and have effect only on the expiration of three months from the passing thereof.

  1. Saving.—Nothing herein contained shall affect:—

    1. the capacity of any persons to act in the following matters (namely),—marriage, dower, divorce and adoption;

    2. the religion or religious rites and usages of any class of 7[citizens of India]; or

    3. the capacity of any person who before this Act comes into force has attained majority under the law applicable to him.

8[3. Age of majority of persons domiciled in India.—(1) Every person domiciled in India shall attain the age of majority on his completing the age of eighteen years and not before.

(2) In computing the age of any person, the day on which he was born is to be included as a whole day and he shall be deemed to have attained majority at the beginning of the eighteenth anniversary of that day.] 

                                                          

  1. This Act has been extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and the First Schedule, and the whole of the Union territory of Lakshadweep by Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and Schedule.

This Act has been extended to Pondicherry by Act 26 of 1968, subject to the following modification:

In section 1 at the end, insert:—

“Provided that nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the Renoncants of the Union territory of Pondicherry.”.

  1. Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and the Schedule, for “Part A States and Part C States”. 

  2. Subs. by Act 33 of 1999, s. 2, for “to prolong the period of nonage, and to attain more uniformity and certainty respecting the age of majority that now exists” (w.e.f. 16-12-1999). 

  3. The word “Indian” omitted by s. 3, ibid (w.e.f. 16-12-1999). 

  4. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for the original para.

  5. Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and the Schedule for “except Part B States”.

  6. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “His Majesty’s subjects in India”.

  7. Subs. by Act 33 of 1999, s. 4, for sections 3 and 4 (w.e.f. 16-12-1999). 

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