Sikkim to Implement Anand Marriage Act for Sikh Couples in June

Gangtok: Sikh couples in Sikkim will soon have a dedicated legal framework for their weddings as the Union Law Ministry announced the enforcement of the Anand Marriage Act. Starting June 1, 2026, the state will formally recognize marriages conducted through the traditional Anand Karaj ceremony under this act.

Previously, couples in the state were required to register their unions under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 to ensure legal recognition. To facilitate the new process, the Sikkim government has drafted and notified the official Sikkim Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2026.

This shift follows a September 2025 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Amanjit Singh Chadha versus Union of India. The court ordered the government to address administrative gaps that prevented the law from taking effect in various states. While the Anand Marriage Act was updated in 2012, many regions lacked the necessary local guidelines to put it into practice. Regarding the long-standing issue, the Supreme Court noted that the lack of such safeguards pushed Sikh couples to register their weddings under larger Hindu marriage laws.