Indian law recognizes multiple frameworks for solemnization. Hindu marriages are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, applicable to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs, requiring capacity to marriages as per the Act. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 provides a secular civil framework permitting marriage irrespective of religion or caste through a statutory procedure is required to be undergone before a Marriage Officer. Muslim marriages are generally governed by personal law and traditionally treated as contractual unions based on consent and legal capacity. Christian and Parsi marriages are regulated respectively by the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, Divorce Act, 1869 and Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, while overseas marriages involving Indian citizens may be governed by the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969.