What is the new law for divorce in India?

Asked by: Prof. Miracle Emard  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (24 votes)

India's recent divorce law developments, largely driven by Supreme Court rulings (like Shilpa Sailesh v. Varun Sreenivasan in 2023), focus on streamlining processes, notably recognizing "irretrievable breakdown of marriage" as a ground for divorce, allowing courts to grant divorce directly under Article 142, and reducing the mandatory six-month cooling-off period for mutual consent divorces. These changes aim to provide quicker, less confrontational resolutions, potentially shortening the overall process and easing the burden on couples seeking to end deeply broken marriages.

What are the new rules of divorce in India?

Grounds for Divorce in Indian Law

Couples agreeing on all terms including alimony, child custody, and property division can file for divorce jointly. The process typically involves filing a petition, a waiting period (usually of six months to one year), and then finalizing the divorce.

What are the new rules for divorce in India 2025?

  • First Motion: Joint petition filing and court appearance.
  • Waiting Period: 6-month cooling period (can be waived in exceptional circumstances)
  • Second Motion: Confirmation of consent and final hearing.
  • Decree: Court grants divorce decree after confirming voluntary consent.

Does wife get 50% after divorce in India?

There is no such legal provision in india to give half of the husband's assets to his divorced wife. However, the husband is bound by law to provide reasonable amount for her future maintanence if she is not able to support herself.

Who loses most in a divorce?

In divorce, women often suffer more significant financial hardship and loss of living standards, while men are more prone to severe emotional distress, depression, and health issues like substance abuse, though both genders face substantial challenges, and children's lives are deeply disrupted by family changes. The most vulnerable in any divorce are often the children, whose routines, finances, and emotional stability are all profoundly affected by their parents' separation, regardless of who files for divorce. 

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20 related questions found

How much money does a wife get in divorce?

This means that if a married couple divorces, a wife is entitled to half of the communal property that was acquired during that marriage. This property can include assets and income that the husband may have contributed.

What is the biggest mistake during a divorce?

The biggest mistake during a divorce often involves letting emotions drive decisions, leading to poor financial choices, using children as weapons, failing to plan for the future, or getting bogged down in petty fights that escalate costs and conflict, ultimately hurting all parties involved, especially the kids. Key errors include not getting legal/financial advice, fighting over small assets, exaggerating claims, and neglecting your own well-being. 

How much maintenance should a wife get in India?

Various factors are considered by the Courts including the living standards of the husband and the rational needs of the wife. However, the Supreme Court, in a recent case, has ordered that 25% of the husband's net salary be paid as maintenance to his estranged wife.

Why is moving out the biggest mistake in a divorce?

Moving out during a divorce is often called a mistake because it can harm your financial standing (paying two households), weaken your position in child custody (appearing less involved), and complicate asset division by creating an "abandonment" perception, making courts favor the spouse who stayed, though it's not always a mistake, especially in cases of domestic violence where safety is paramount. Staying in the home, even in separate rooms, preserves the status quo, keeps you present for kids, and maintains your connection to the property until formal agreements are made.
 

What assets cannot be split in a divorce in India?

Personal Property: Assets acquired individually by each partner before marriage or those obtained as individual gifts or inheritance generally remain personal property and may not be subject to division in divorce.

What not to do during separation?

When separated, you should not rush big decisions, badmouth your spouse (especially to kids or on social media), involve children in the conflict, move out of the family home without cause, make financial promises without legal advice, or let emotions dictate impulsive actions like excessive spending or dating too soon, focusing instead on maintaining civility and protecting finances and children. 

What is the fastest divorce process in India?

The process requires filing of petition (under section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955) before court with affidavits by both parties as an affirmation that they haven't been able to live together as husband and wife for a year (or more as the case may be) and hence give mutual consent to opt for divorce.

Who initiates 90% of divorces?

Women initiate a significant majority of divorces, around 70%, with this figure rising to nearly 90% for college-educated women, according to studies like one from the American Sociological Association. This trend highlights women's greater dissatisfaction with marital dynamics, often stemming from taking on more emotional labor and feeling a lack of connection or fulfillment, leading them to be the ones to file for divorce, notes The Whitley Law Firm and Barnes & Diehl, P.C.. 

How do I divorce my wife without losing everything in India?

Divorce with Mutual Consent

  1. The couples should be separated for over a year.
  2. The couple should able to prove that they have not been able to live together.
  3. Matters of children's custody, maintenance and property rights need to be agreed to mutually.

Can NRIs file for divorce in India?

Jurisdiction in NRI Divorce Cases

Divorce can be filed in India if: Marriage was solemnized in India. Spouse resides in India. Parties last lived together in India.

Who loses more financially in a divorce?

Statistically, women generally lose more financially in a divorce, experiencing sharper drops in household income, higher poverty risk, and increased struggles with housing and childcare, often due to historical gender pay gaps and taking on more childcare roles; however, the financially dependent spouse (often the lower-earning partner) bears the biggest burden, regardless of gender, facing challenges rebuilding independence after career breaks, while men also see a significant drop in living standards, but usually recover better.
 

What is the 10-10-10 rule for divorce?

The "10/10 Rule" in military divorce determines if a former spouse receives direct payments from the military pension, requiring at least 10 years of marriage that overlap with 10 years of the service member's creditable military service. If this rule is met, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) sends the court-ordered portion directly to the ex-spouse; if not, the service member pays the ex-spouse directly, though the court can still award a share of the pension. This rule affects how payments are made, not the eligibility for pension division itself, which is decided by state law. 

What are the four signs a marriage will end in divorce?

The four key signs of divorce, known as Dr. Gottman's "Four Horsemen," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which signal destructive communication patterns like personal attacks, disdain, playing the victim, and shutting down emotionally during conflict, eroding respect and connection in a relationship. Recognizing these patterns is the first step to implementing antidotes like using "I feel" statements and taking breaks when overwhelmed to rebuild healthier communication.
 

How much money should a husband give his wife after divorce in India?

The Supreme Court in one of its landmark judgments has set a benchmark for maintenance to be paid by a husband to his estranged wife. It stated that 25% of the net salary of the husband might constitute a “just and proper” amount as alimony.

At what age can a father get custody of his child in India?

In divorce/separation, which parent gets the custody of the child? If the child is below 5 years, the custody will naturally go to the mother (Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act). Only if the court feels that the mother is unfit to take care of the child, the custody will go to the father or another person.

How long after divorce can my ex-wife claim money?

“Consistently with the potentially life-long obligations which attend a marriage, there is no time-limit for seeking orders for financial provision or property adjustment for the benefit of a spouse following divorce.

What are the 3 C's of divorce?

The "3 Cs of Divorce" generally refer to Communication, Cooperation, and Compromise, principles that help divorcing couples, especially those with children, navigate the process more smoothly by focusing on respectful dialogue, working together for shared goals (like children's welfare), and making concessions for equitable outcomes, reducing conflict and costs. Some variations substitute Custody or Civility for one of the Cs, emphasizing child-focused decisions or maintaining politeness.
 

Who regrets most after divorce?

While surveys vary, some suggest men regret divorce more, but regret is common for both genders, often tied to who initiated it, financial strain (especially for women), or failing to try harder in the marriage; the person who ended the marriage often experiences regret, regardless of gender, feeling they should have done more to save it. Key factors influencing regret include financial impact (often harder on women), the specific reasons for divorce (e.g., infidelity vs. incompatibility), and the level of personal adaptation post-divorce. 

What money can't be touched in a divorce?

Money that can't be touched in a divorce is typically separate property, including assets owned before marriage, inheritances, and gifts, but it must be kept separate from marital funds to avoid becoming divisible; commingling (mixing) these funds with joint accounts, or using inheritance to pay marital debt, can make them vulnerable to division. Prenuptial agreements or clear documentation are key to protecting these untouchable assets, as courts generally divide marital property acquired during the marriage.