Paragraph numbers below are the court’s original numbering, recovered from the source text.
10. In our considered opinion, harmonisation with existing registration regimes is both practicable and necessary. Where a general civil marriage registration framework is in place, it must receive applications for registration of marriages solemnised by Anand Karaj on the same footing as other marriages and, if the parties so request, it should record that the ceremony was by the Anand rite. This interim facilitation does not displace the specific rule-making contemplated by Section 6 of the Act. It prevents denial of certification while formal rules are finalised. In jurisdictions governed by special constitutional or statutory arrangements that regulate the extension of Central enactments, the immediate duty is to secure reception and certification without discrimination under the prevailing framework, while the competent authority considers, in accordance with law, whether and how to extend the Act. This measured course preserves federal comity, avoids prescribing policy content, and gives practical effect to the clear legislative command.
11. For the reasons recorded above, this writ petition is disposed of with appropriate directions to the respective States and Union Territories that secure time-bound performance of the rule-making obligation under Section 6 of the Act and require interim facilitation under existing registration mechanisms so that the statutory promise of the provision is made effective.
12. General directions applicable to all respondent States and Union Territories (subject to the specific directions that follow for particular jurisdictions) are as follows: i. Every respondent that has not yet notified rules under Section 6 of the Act shall do so within four months from today. The rules 1082 shall be published in the Official Gazette and laid before the State Legislature in terms of Section 6(4) of the Act. ii. With immediate effect and until such rules are notified, each respondent shall ensure that marriages solemnised by Anand Karaj are received for registration under the prevailing marriage- registration framework without discrimination. Where the parties so request, the registering authority shall record in the certificate that the marriage was solemnised by the Anand Karaj rite. iii. Respondents that have already notified rules under Section 6 of the Act shall continue to operate them. Within three months, they shall issue a clarificatory circular to all registering authorities and publish on the official portal the applicable forms, fees, documents required, and timelines, and shall ensure availability of certified extracts in terms of Section 6(2) of the Act. No authority shall insist on an additional or duplicative registration under any other law once registration under the Act is granted, in view of Section 6(5) of the Act. iv. Every respondent shall, within two months, designate a Secretary-level Nodal Officer to oversee compliance with this order, to issue any consequential administrative directions, and to address grievances regarding receipt and certification of Anand Karaj marriages. v. The Respondent no.1, Union of India, shall act as the coordinating authority. Within two months, it shall circulate model rules compiled from jurisdictions that have already notified Section 6 rules to any State or Union Territory that seeks guidance. Within six months, it shall compile and present a consolidated status report before this Court indicating compliance by each respondent and place the same on the website of the Ministry of Law and Justice, in addition to furnishing a copy to the Registry. vi. Moreover, we make it clear that no application for registration of an Anand Karaj marriage or for a certified extract shall be refused on the sole ground that rules under Section 6 of the Act have not yet been notified. Any refusal shall be reasoned in writing and shall remain amenable to remedies in law.
13. The specific directions for Respondent no. 17 State of Goa are as follows: [2025] 9 S.C.R. Amanjot Singh Chadha v. Union of India & Ors. i. As an interim measure, the State shall ensure that all Civil Registration Offices receive and process, without discrimination, applications for registration of marriages solemnised by Anand Karaj under the existing civil registration framework. Where the parties so request, the register and the certificate shall record that the marriage was solemnised by the Anand Karaj rites. ii. The Union of India shall, within four months, issue an appropriate notification under Section 6 of the Goa, Daman and Diu (Administration) Act, 1962 extending the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 to the State of Goa. iii. Upon such extension, the State of Goa shall frame and notify rules under Section 6 of the Act within four months of the Union’s notification, publish them in the Official Gazette, and issue a circular to all Civil Registrars for immediate implementation. iv. It is needless to say that the general directions in paragraph 12 shall apply to the State of Goa mutatis mutandis.
14. The specific Directions for Respondent no. 14 State of Sikkim are as follows: i. As an interim measure, the State shall ensure that all registering authorities receive and process, without discrimination, applications for registration of marriages solemnised by Anand Karaj under the existing Rules to provide for registration and solemnization of a Form of Marriage in Sikkim (1963). Where the parties so request, the register and the certificate shall record that the marriage was solemnised by the Anand Karaj rite. ii. Within three months, the State shall issue a circular to all registering authorities clarifying the above, specifying the documents required and timelines for issuance of certificates, and ensuring availability of certified extracts in terms of the prevailing rules. iii. The Union of India shall, within four months, consider and place before the competent authority a proposal for extension of the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 to the State of Sikkim under Article 371F(n) of the Constitution of India, with such restrictions or modifications as may be warranted. 1084 iv. Upon such extension, the State of Sikkim shall frame and notify rules under Section 6 of the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 within four months of the notification, publish them in the Official Gazette, and issue a circular for immediate implementation. v. It is needless to say that the general directions in paragraph 12 shall apply to the State of Sikkim mutatis mutandis.
15. Each respondent shall place on record a brief compliance affidavit within the timelines indicated in paragraphs 12 to 14, enclosing the relevant notifications, circulars and formats, as the case may be. The Union of India shall file the consolidated status report contemplated by paragraph 12(v) within six months.
16. The writ petition is disposed of in the above terms.
17. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of. Result of the case: Writ Petition disposed of. †Headnotes prepared by: Ankit Gyan