The Central Government has announced that the Anand Marriage Act, which allows Sikh couples to officially register marriages conducted through the traditional Anand Karaj ceremony, will come into force in Sikkim from June 1, 2026.The decision was notified by the Union Law Ministry through an official notification issued on May 14. The move is expected to provide legal recognition to Sikh marriages in the state under a separate framework specifically meant for the Sikh community.Until now, Sikh couples in Sikkim were required to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for legal recognition, despite marriage ceremonies being conducted according to Sikh religious traditions. According to the notification, the Centre has fixed June 1, 2026 as the official date for implementation of the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 in Sikkim.
Officials said the Sikkim government has already prepared and notified the Sikkim Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2026, which will facilitate implementation of the law and establish procedures for marriage registration under the Act.The development follows a significant Supreme Court judgment delivered in September 2025 in the case of Amanjit Singh Chadha versus Union of India. In its ruling, the apex court directed authorities to address administrative gaps that had delayed implementation of the law in several states. The Anand Marriage Act was originally enacted in 1909 during the British period to recognise Sikh marriage ceremonies performed through Anand Karaj. However, the law was amended in 2012 to formally include provisions for registration of such marriages.
Despite the amendment, several states, including Sikkim, had not framed rules required for implementation of the Act. As a result, Sikh couples in those states continued registering their marriages under broader Hindu marriage laws. The Supreme Court had earlier observed that the absence of separate registration mechanisms created practical difficulties for Sikh couples and directed state governments to frame the necessary rules and procedures without delay.