Hindu Law and Muslim Law
Hindu and Muslim personal law tests marriage, divorce, maintenance, succession and guardianship. The exam expects statutory provisions for Hindus and classical/codified rules for Muslims, without mixing the two systems.
Hindu law
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 governs conditions of marriage (s.5), void and voidable marriages (ss.11-12), divorce (s.13) and maintenance (ss.24-25). The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, after the 2005 amendment, makes a daughter a coparcener by birth in joint Hindu family property. Class I heirs take simultaneously; the widow, sons and daughters share. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 governs adoption and maintenance.
Muslim law
Nikah requires offer and acceptance, witnesses and mahr. Talaq-e-biddat is void after Shayara Bano (2017), and triple talaq is an offence under the 2019 Act. Mahr is a contractual obligation. Inheritance is governed by fixed Quranic shares; a will is limited to one-third without heirs' consent. Guardianship distinguishes custody (hizanat) from legal guardianship.
Worked example
A Hindu father dies intestate in 2010 leaving a widow, son and daughter. The daughter is a Class I heir and a coparcener in ancestral property. She takes an equal share with the son in the father's share, subject to the 2005 amendment applying to the death.
Traps
Do not apply the Hindu Succession Act to Muslims. A void marriage does not create mutual rights of inheritance, though children may be legitimate. Maintenance can be claimed under personal law and s.125 CrPC / s.144 BNSS. Custom must be pleaded and proved.