The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (HSA 1956) (HSA 1956) – Overview

Table of Contents

Chapter I Preliminary

• Section1. Short title and extent.
• Section2. Application of Act.
• Section3. Definitions and interpretation.
• Section4. Overriding effect of Act.

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Chapter II Intestate Succession General

• Section 5. Act not to apply to certain properties.
• Section 6. Devolution of interest in coparcenary property.
• Section 7. Devolution of interest in the property of a tarwad, tavazhi, kutumba, kavaruorillom.
• Section 8. General rules of succession in the case of males.
• Section 9. Order of succession among heirs in the Schedule.
• Section 10. Distribution of property among heirs in class I of the Schedule.
• Section 11. Distribution of property among heirs in class II of the Schedule.
• Section 12. Order of succession among agnates and congnates.
• Section 13. Computation of degrees.
• Section 14. Property of a female Hindu to be her absolute property.
• Section 15. General rules of succession in the case of female Hindus.
• Section 16. Order of succession and manner of distribution among heirs of a female Hindu.
• Section 17. Special provisions respecting persons governed by marumakkattayam and aliyasantana laws.

General provisions relating to succession

• Section 18. Full blood preferred to half blood.
• Section 19. Mode of succession of two or more heirs.
• Section 20. Right of child in womb.
• Section 21. Presumption in cases of simultaneous deaths.
• Section 22. Preferential right to acquire property in certain cases.
• Section 23. [Omitted.].
• Section 24. [Omitted.].
• Section 25. Murderer disqualified.
• Section 26. Convert’s descendants disqualified.
• Section 27. Succession when heir disqualified.
• Section 28. Disease, defect, etc., not to disqualify.

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Escheat

• Section 29. Failure of heirs.

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Chapter III Testamentary Succession

• Section30. Testamentary succession.

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Chapter IV Repeals

• Section31. [Repealed.].

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The Schedule

• Class I.
• Class II.

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