IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA WRIT PETITION No. 26921 OF 2025

03.03.2026 Between:

Dr. M & another ….. Petitioners And The Union of India, Rep. by its Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW)

& another ….. Respondents

O R D E R:

The Hindu marriage (Sanskrit: िववाह romanized:

Vivaha lit 'Marriage') is the most important of all the samskaras, the rites of passage described in the Dharmashastra texts. Variously defined, it is generally described to be a social institution for the establishment and regulation of a proper relationship between the sexes, as stated by ‘Manu’. Marriage is regarded to be a sacrament by Hindus, rather than a form of social contract, since they believe that all men and women are created to be parents, and practise dharma together, as ordained by the Vedas.

1.1. For centuries, marriage in India has been more than just a union between two individuals; it has been a cornerstone of society, deeply rooted in tradition and scripture. While arranged marriages are often seen as the typical form of matrimony in India, historical texts reveal a far more nuanced picture.

1.2. Conception:

The ideal c