Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 with Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents to the Bride and Bridegroom) Rules 1985 – Bare Act with Section Notes By Taxmann’s Editorial Board

Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 with Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents to the Bride and Bridegroom) Rules 1985 [Bare Act with Section Notes] by Taxmann is an authoritative legal text that consolidates and clarifies the laws governing the prohibition of dowry in India. This Edition presents the principal Act, subsequent amendments, the relevant Rules, and detailed section-by-section notes. It aims to provide a clear, comprehensive guide to understanding and applying the provisions on dowry prohibition and on maintaining lists of presents exchanged during marriage ceremonies.

This book is intended for the following audience:

• Legal Practitioners & Judiciary – Lawyers, judges, and legal advisors who need an updated reference for arguments, judgments, and legal interpretations of dowry-related provisions
• Law Students & Academics – Students pursuing law or research in social welfare and legal studies will find the legislative text, notes, and referenced case laws highly beneficial
• Social Workers & NGOs – Organisations working in the field of women’s rights, domestic abuse prevention, or social reform can use this resource to ensure accurate legal guidance and advocacy
• General Readers – Families, individuals, or anyone interested in understanding the legal framework and remedies against dowry demands or related offences

The Present Publication is the 2026 Edition, covering the amended and updated text of the Dowry Prohibition Act [Act No. 28 of 1961] and Rules, with the following noteworthy features:

• [Complete Text of the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961] Includes all sections of the Act, reflecting the law as amended up to the latest date
• [Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents) Rules 1985] Presents the rules governing how lists of gifts to the bride and bridegroom must be maintained
• [Section-by-Section Notes] Invaluable insights and clarifications that interpret and simplify legal language, making each section more accessible
• [Case Law References] Selected judgments from various courts to highlight how provisions of the Act have been interpreted and applied
• [State Amendments & Variations] Summaries of how different States in India have adapted and revised the Act, enabling readers to compare jurisdictional nuances
• [Pre-amendment Provisions] Incorporates the text of provisions as they existed prior to the amendment in the respective amendment footnotes, enabling the reader to understand the legal position before the amendment and its applicability during the pre-amendment period
• [User-friendly Formatting] Bold headings, clear fonts, and a structured layout help readers quickly locate relevant provisions

The structure of the book is as follows:

• Bare Act Text – The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 is reproduced section by section
• Section Notes – Immediately following each section, brief notes and important case law references are provided for clarity
• Rules – The Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents to the Bride and Bridegroom) Rules 1985 are presented in a similarly annotated format
• Subject Index – Located at the end, it consolidates all topics, enabling users to navigate through various provisions efficiently