Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 · Chapter I: Preliminary
Section 3: Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,―
(a) the expressions "custom" and "usage" signify any rule which, having been continuously and uniformly observed for a long time, has obtained the force of law among Hindus in any local area, tribe, community, group or family:
Provided that the rule is certain and not unreasonable or opposed to public policy: and
Provided further that, in the case of a rule applicable only to a family, it has not been discontinued by the family;
(b) "maintenance" includes―
(i) in all cases, provision for food, clothing, residence, education and medical attendance and treatment;
(ii) in the case of an unmarried daughter, also the reasonable expenses of and incident to her marriage;
(c) "minor" means a person who has not completed his or her age of eighteen years.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 16 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.