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Family Law MCQs for CLAT PG

CLAT PG Family Law questions 1-25 of 75, with answer keys and explanations covering marriage, divorce, maintenance, succession, adoption, guardianship, Hindu law, Muslim law, and family courts.

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Revise core LLB subjects through CLAT PG MCQs, passage-led questions, answer keys, explanations, statutes, and exam-oriented legal principles.

  • Adoption, Maintenance and Guardianship5
  • Comparative Family Law - Personal Law and Constitutional Values5
  • Constitutionalisation of Family Law5
  • Hindu Joint Family, Coparcenary and Karta5
  • Hindu Marriage Act: Validity, Nullity and Divorce5
  • Hindu Succession and Gender Equality5
  • HMA 1955 - Judicial Separation to Divorce Pathway1
  • HMA 1955 - Judicial Separation vs Divorce1
  • HMA 1955 - Void Marriage - No Decree Needed1
  • HMA 1955 - Void vs Voidable Marriage1
  • HMA 1955 - Voidable Marriage - Ratification1
  • HSA 1956 - Conflicting Precedents Before Vineeta Sharma1
  • HSA 1956 - Daughters Coparcenary Rights Post-20051
  • HSA 1956 - Mitakshara vs Pre-Amendment System1
  • HSA 1956 - Pre-Amendment Position1
  • HSA 1956 - Vineeta Sharma - Key Holding1
  • Maintenance - Multiple Legal Frameworks1
  • Maintenance - PWDVA - Applicability to All Religions1
  • Maintenance - Section 125 CrPC - Secular Application1
  • Maintenance - Section 18 HAMA - Loss of Right1
  • Maintenance - Section 24 HMA - Gender Neutrality1
  • Matrimonial Relief, Maintenance and Custody5
  • Muslim Divorce - Iddat Purpose and Effect1
  • Muslim Divorce - Legislative History1
  • Muslim Divorce - Shah Bano and Danial Latifi1
  • Muslim Divorce - Triple Talaq - 2019 Act1
  • Muslim Divorce - Wife-Initiated Divorce Options1
  • Muslim Marriage, Dower and Divorce5
  • Muslim Succession, Wills and Gifts5
  • Partition, Ancestral Property and Blending5
  • Special Marriage, Domestic Violence and Family Courts5
Passage or principleSinghal Family Law II Notes / Classical Hindu Law

Classical Hindu law distinguishes the Hindu joint family from the coparcenary. The joint family is the wider body consisting of persons descended from a common ancestor, together with wives and unmarried daughters. A coparcenary is narrower and historically consisted of those who acquired an interest in joint family property by birth. The 2005 amendment to Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act changed the gendered structure of Mitakshara coparcenary by recognising daughters as coparceners by birth in the same manner as sons. The Karta occupies a sui generis position: he is not a mere agent appointed by all members, but a manager whose powers arise from family law. His alienation of joint family property is not valid merely because he is Karta; it must be supported by legal necessity, benefit of estate, or indispensable duties. These doctrines are important because exam problems often mix status, property classification, management, and alienation in a single fact pattern.

Question 1EasyHindu Joint Family, Coparcenary and Karta

According to the passage, the Hindu joint family differs from coparcenary because:

  1. A

    The joint family is the wider body, while coparcenary is the narrower birthright body

  2. B

    The coparcenary includes wives and unmarried daughters as such

  3. C

    The joint family exists only after partition

  4. D

    The two expressions are always identical

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. The joint family is the wider body, while coparcenary is the narrower birthright body

The passage states that the joint family is wider and coparcenary is narrower.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Classical Hindu Law

Question 2EasyHindu Joint Family, Coparcenary and Karta

The 2005 amendment to Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act is significant because:

  1. A

    It abolished all intestate succession

  2. B

    It made Karta alienation impossible

  3. C

    It converted every property into self-acquired property

  4. D

    It recognises daughters as coparceners by birth in the same manner as sons

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. It recognises daughters as coparceners by birth in the same manner as sons

The passage directly identifies gender-equal coparcenary rights after the amendment.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Classical Hindu Law

Question 3MediumHindu Joint Family, Coparcenary and Karta

Why is the Karta described as occupying a sui generis position?

  1. A

    He has no power to represent the family

  2. B

    He can alienate property for any personal reason

  3. C

    His authority arises from family law and management status, not merely from ordinary agency

  4. D

    He is appointed only by a written agency contract

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. His authority arises from family law and management status, not merely from ordinary agency

The passage contrasts the Karta with a mere appointed agent.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Classical Hindu Law

Question 4MediumHindu Joint Family, Coparcenary and Karta

An alienation by the Karta is most defensible when it is supported by:

  1. A

    The buyer's desire to purchase cheaply

  2. B

    Legal necessity, benefit of estate, or indispensable duties

  3. C

    The Karta's personal luxury

  4. D

    Silence of all family members in every case

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Legal necessity, benefit of estate, or indispensable duties

These are the recognised heads stated in the passage.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Classical Hindu Law

Question 5MediumHindu Joint Family, Coparcenary and Karta

The passage warns that exam problems often combine which issues?

  1. A

    Status, property classification, management, and alienation

  2. B

    Only criminal liability and bail

  3. C

    Only international law and treaties

  4. D

    Only taxation procedure

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Status, property classification, management, and alienation

The closing sentence lists these connected areas.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Classical Hindu Law

Passage or principleSinghal Family Law II Notes / Partition and Property in Hindu Law

Partition in Hindu law is not merely a physical division of property. A clear and unequivocal intention to separate can bring about severance of joint status, while actual division by metes and bounds may follow later. Property classification is equally important. Ancestral property, separate property, accretions made with the aid of joint family funds, and property blended into the common stock have different consequences. The doctrine of blending requires a clear intention by a coparcener to abandon separate ownership and throw self-acquired property into the joint family hotchpot. Mere family use or permissive enjoyment does not automatically prove blending. Courts are careful because the doctrine can alter proprietary rights substantially. A partition may also be challenged in exceptional situations, especially where fraud, mistake, or serious prejudice to a minor's share is shown.

Question 6EasyPartition, Ancestral Property and Blending

Partition may occur by severance of status when:

  1. A

    There is only a casual family quarrel

  2. B

    The Karta buys personal property

  3. C

    A stranger occupies family land

  4. D

    There is a clear and unequivocal intention to separate

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. There is a clear and unequivocal intention to separate

The passage identifies clear intention as the key to severance.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Partition and Property in Hindu Law

Question 7MediumPartition, Ancestral Property and Blending

The doctrine of blending requires:

  1. A

    A compulsory court order in every case

  2. B

    A criminal complaint by the Karta

  3. C

    Clear intention to abandon separate ownership and put property into common stock

  4. D

    Mere use of property by relatives

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Clear intention to abandon separate ownership and put property into common stock

The passage expressly states the intention requirement.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Partition and Property in Hindu Law

Question 8MediumPartition, Ancestral Property and Blending

Why are courts cautious in applying blending?

  1. A

    Because it is forbidden by statute

  2. B

    Because it substantially alters proprietary rights

  3. C

    Because it applies only to criminal trials

  4. D

    Because it has no effect on ownership

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Because it substantially alters proprietary rights

The passage says courts are careful because proprietary rights change.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Partition and Property in Hindu Law

Question 9HardPartition, Ancestral Property and Blending

A partition may be reopened where:

  1. A

    Fraud, mistake, or serious prejudice to a minor's share is shown

  2. B

    Any adult later regrets the arrangement

  3. C

    Every oral arrangement is made

  4. D

    The family business earns profit

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Fraud, mistake, or serious prejudice to a minor's share is shown

The passage gives these exceptional grounds.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Partition and Property in Hindu Law

Question 10HardPartition, Ancestral Property and Blending

The best inference from the passage is that Hindu property questions require:

  1. A

    Automatic treatment of every asset as joint

  2. B

    Ignoring the source of funds

  3. C

    Rejecting all minor claims

  4. D

    Careful classification of the property and the intention of parties

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Careful classification of the property and the intention of parties

The passage repeatedly links classification and intention to legal consequences.

Source note: Singhal Family Law II Notes / Partition and Property in Hindu Law

Passage or principleHindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 codifies the conditions and consequences of Hindu marriage. Section 5 sets out conditions such as monogamy, mental capacity, minimum age, prohibited relationship, and sapinda restrictions. Section 7 requires solemnisation according to customary rites and ceremonies, with saptapadi completing the marriage where applicable. Not every breach produces the same consequence. Violation of monogamy, prohibited relationship, or sapinda conditions makes the marriage void under Section 11. Other defects, such as impotence, invalid consent, certain mental conditions, or pregnancy by another at the time of marriage, may make the marriage voidable under Section 12. Divorce under Section 13 is different from nullity because it dissolves a valid marriage on recognised matrimonial grounds such as cruelty, desertion, conversion, mental disorder, renunciation, or presumption of death.

Question 11EasyHindu Marriage Act: Validity, Nullity and Divorce

Which section contains the basic conditions for a Hindu marriage?

  1. A

    Section 25 HMA

  2. B

    Section 26 HMA

  3. C

    Section 5 HMA

  4. D

    Section 9 HMA

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Section 5 HMA

The passage states that Section 5 sets out the conditions.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13

Question 12EasyHindu Marriage Act: Validity, Nullity and Divorce

A marriage violating monogamy under Section 5 is:

  1. A

    A mutual consent divorce

  2. B

    Void under Section 11

  3. C

    Only voidable under Section 12

  4. D

    Automatically valid after one year

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Void under Section 11

The passage lists monogamy violation under Section 11 void marriages.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13

Question 13MediumHindu Marriage Act: Validity, Nullity and Divorce

Voidable marriage differs from void marriage because:

  1. A

    It requires annulment on specified grounds such as invalid consent or impotence

  2. B

    It is never recognised by statute

  3. C

    It is the same as criminal bigamy

  4. D

    It exists only under Muslim law

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. It requires annulment on specified grounds such as invalid consent or impotence

Section 12 defects make a marriage voidable, not automatically void.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13

Question 14MediumHindu Marriage Act: Validity, Nullity and Divorce

Why is Section 7 important in a disputed marriage case?

  1. A

    It removes the need for ceremonies

  2. B

    It makes registration the only proof

  3. C

    It applies only to divorce by mutual consent

  4. D

    It requires proof of solemnisation according to applicable rites or custom

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. It requires proof of solemnisation according to applicable rites or custom

The passage links Section 7 to solemnisation and ceremonies.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13

Question 15HardHindu Marriage Act: Validity, Nullity and Divorce

Divorce under Section 13 is conceptually different from nullity because:

  1. A

    It applies only before marriage

  2. B

    It is available only to the husband

  3. C

    It dissolves a valid marriage on matrimonial grounds

  4. D

    It declares that no marriage could ever be valid in all cases

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. It dissolves a valid marriage on matrimonial grounds

The passage distinguishes divorce from nullity on this basis.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13

Passage or principleHindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 9, 10, 13B, 24, 25 and 26

Matrimonial remedies under the Hindu Marriage Act operate on different assumptions. Restitution of conjugal rights under Section 9 is available when one spouse withdraws from the society of the other without reasonable excuse. Judicial separation under Section 10 suspends the obligation of cohabitation but does not dissolve the marriage. Divorce by mutual consent under Section 13B requires a joint petition, separate living, inability to live together, and mutual agreement to dissolve the marriage. In Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur, the Supreme Court held that the six-month cooling-off period may be waived in appropriate cases. Sections 24 and 25 deal with maintenance pendente lite and permanent alimony, while Section 26 empowers the court to make orders regarding custody, maintenance, and education of minor children. These remedies show that family law is not only about status; it also structures economic support and child welfare.

Question 16EasyMatrimonial Relief, Maintenance and Custody

Restitution of conjugal rights requires withdrawal from society:

  1. A

    By both spouses jointly

  2. B

    Without reasonable excuse

  3. C

    Only for one day

  4. D

    After a divorce decree

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Without reasonable excuse

Section 9 is described in those terms in the passage.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 9, 10, 13B, 24, 25 and 26

Question 17EasyMatrimonial Relief, Maintenance and Custody

Judicial separation differs from divorce because:

  1. A

    It suspends cohabitation without dissolving marriage

  2. B

    It permits immediate remarriage

  3. C

    It declares marriage void

  4. D

    It applies only to property disputes

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. It suspends cohabitation without dissolving marriage

The passage directly states this distinction.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 9, 10, 13B, 24, 25 and 26

Question 18MediumMatrimonial Relief, Maintenance and Custody

Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur is relevant to:

  1. A

    Abolition of maintenance

  2. B

    Proof of saptapadi

  3. C

    Muslim inheritance

  4. D

    Waiver of the six-month cooling-off period in mutual consent divorce

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Waiver of the six-month cooling-off period in mutual consent divorce

The passage identifies the case with waiver under Section 13B.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 9, 10, 13B, 24, 25 and 26

Question 19MediumMatrimonial Relief, Maintenance and Custody

Sections 24 and 25 are primarily concerned with:

  1. A

    Adoption and guardianship

  2. B

    Dowry death and cruelty

  3. C

    Maintenance pendente lite and permanent alimony

  4. D

    Void marriage and sapinda relationship

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Maintenance pendente lite and permanent alimony

The passage places maintenance under Sections 24 and 25.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 9, 10, 13B, 24, 25 and 26

Question 20HardMatrimonial Relief, Maintenance and Custody

The passage's broader point is that matrimonial law also addresses:

  1. A

    Only land revenue

  2. B

    Economic support and child welfare

  3. C

    Only ceremonial validity

  4. D

    Only criminal punishment

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Economic support and child welfare

The final sentence states the broader function of these remedies.

Source note: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Sections 9, 10, 13B, 24, 25 and 26

Passage or principleHindu Succession Act, 1956 / Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma

The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 transformed intestate succession among Hindus. For a male Hindu dying intestate, Class I heirs have priority under Sections 8 to 10. For a female Hindu dying intestate, Sections 15 and 16 provide a separate scheme, including source-based rules for property inherited from parents or husband. The most debated modern reform is the 2005 amendment to Section 6, which made daughters coparceners by birth in the same manner as sons. In Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma, the Supreme Court clarified that the daughter's right is by birth and does not depend on the father being alive on the date of the amendment, provided the property had not already been finally partitioned in the legally recognised manner. Succession law therefore combines statutory hierarchy, property source, and constitutional equality.

Question 21EasyHindu Succession and Gender Equality

For a male Hindu dying intestate, property devolves first upon:

  1. A

    Class I heirs

  2. B

    Agnates in every case

  3. C

    Cognates in every case

  4. D

    The State automatically

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Class I heirs

The passage identifies Class I heirs as the first priority.

Source note: Hindu Succession Act, 1956 / Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma

Question 22EasyHindu Succession and Gender Equality

Sections 15 and 16 are important because they govern:

  1. A

    Void Hindu marriage

  2. B

    Muslim divorce

  3. C

    Family Court appeals

  4. D

    Succession to property of a female Hindu dying intestate

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Succession to property of a female Hindu dying intestate

The passage directly connects those sections with female intestate succession.

Source note: Hindu Succession Act, 1956 / Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma

Question 23MediumHindu Succession and Gender Equality

The 2005 amendment to Section 6 recognised daughters as:

  1. A

    Class II heirs only

  2. B

    Guardians but not owners

  3. C

    Coparceners by birth in the same manner as sons

  4. D

    Only maintenance holders

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Coparceners by birth in the same manner as sons

This is the central reform described in the passage.

Source note: Hindu Succession Act, 1956 / Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma

Question 24HardHindu Succession and Gender Equality

Vineeta Sharma clarified that the daughter's right does not depend on:

  1. A

    The daughter being born into the family

  2. B

    The father being alive on the date of the amendment

  3. C

    The existence of coparcenary property

  4. D

    The absence of any final partition

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. The father being alive on the date of the amendment

The passage states this clarification expressly.

Source note: Hindu Succession Act, 1956 / Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma

Question 25HardHindu Succession and Gender Equality

The passage suggests that succession questions require attention to:

  1. A

    Hierarchy of heirs, source of property, and equality principles

  2. B

    Only oral family wishes

  3. C

    Only criminal procedure

  4. D

    Only marriage ceremonies

View answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Hierarchy of heirs, source of property, and equality principles

The final sentence combines these themes.

Source note: Hindu Succession Act, 1956 / Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma

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