WHAT IS SPECIAL MARRIAGE ACT The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is an Indian law that provides a legal framework for the marriage of people belonging to different religions or castes. It governs a civil marriage where the state sanctions the marriage rather than the religion. The Act allows two individuals to solemnize their marriage through a civil contract. No religious formalities are needed to be carried out under the Act. The Act originated from a piece of legislation proposed during the late 19th century. The Act has three major objectives: to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases, to provide for registration of certain marriages and, to provide for divorce. The Act is applicable to the entire territory of India and extends to intending spouses who are both Indian nationals living abroad.