What Are the Legal Grounds for Divorce in India?
Divorce isn’t just a legal process—it’s often a deeply personal and emotional decision. But once a person has reached that point where continuing the marriage no longer feels right, it becomes important to understand what the law actually says. In India, divorce laws differ depending on religion, but the core reasons that qualify as valid grounds for divorce remain fairly consistent across most personal laws. Let’s break this down in a practical way, without the jargon, so that someone genuinely trying to understand their legal options doesn’t feel lost. Adultery If one spouse has had a sexual relationship outside the marriage, the other has the legal right to file for divorce. Adultery is no longer a criminal offence after a Supreme Court verdict in 2018, but it still counts as a strong civil ground for divorce. Cruelty—Mental and Physical Cruelty doesn’t only mean physical abuse. Mental cruelty is just as serious in the eyes of the court. Constant humiliation, emotional manipulation,...