Marriage occupies a central place in Indian society, especially within the Hindu legal framework, where it is regarded as both a social and religious institution. Despite this significance, the registration of Hindu marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 remains largely optional, which has led to several legal and social complications. This research paper examines the issue of non-registration of Hindu marriages from a human rights perspective, with particular emphasis on its impact on women and children. Unregistered marriages often result in denial of matrimonial rights, difficulties in proving marital status, and increased vulnerability to practices such as bigamy, child marriage, abandonment, and marital fraud.

The paper analyses the existing legal framework governing marriage registration, including statutory provisions, judicial pronouncements, and state-level legislations that mandate compulsory registration. It highlights how courts, especially the Supreme Court in Seema v. Ashwani Kumar, have repeatedly stressed the importance of mandatory registration as a means to protect women’s rights and prevent social evils. The study also reviews recommendations made by the Law Commission of India and legislative efforts aimed at introducing a uniform system of marriage registration across the country.