28 previous year questions on Maintenance, dower and stridhan from UGC NET Law papers (2009–2026), including 2 assertion–reason, 3 match-the-list, 2 statement-based questions. The correct option is marked in green.
28 questions
Match List-I and List-II with the help of code given below:
Codes:
Ans. (a) : A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
Explanation:
Danial Latifi v. Union of India (2001) — Maintenance of Muslim divorced woman
Shamim Ara v. State of U.P. (2002 Supreme Court) — Triple talaq
Mukker Rathor v. State of Kerala — Oral gift
Husain Ara v. Zubaida Begum — Dower (Meher)
A Hindu wife is not entitled to separate residence and maintenance from her husband if she:
Ans. (c) : either (A) or (B)
Explanation: Under Section 18(3) of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, a Hindu wife will not be entitled to separate residence and maintenance from her husband if she has ceased to be Hindu by conversion or has become unchaste.
A Muslim wife can relinquish her Mahr
Ans. (c) : When she is not less than 18 years of age
Explanation: A Muslim wife can voluntarily relinquish her right of Mahr. The remission of Mahr may be full or partial. For a legally valid remission, the following conditions are necessary: (1) The wife should be major and of sound mind (2) The relinquishment of Mahr should be voluntary (3) The relinquishment of Mahr should be in writing
In which of the following cases, the court held that "Dower (Mehar) is a sale price of women"?
Ans. (d) : Abdul Kadir case
Explanation: In Abdul Kadir v. Salima, Justice Mahmood held that Mahr (Dower) should be regarded as the sale price of women.
In which of the following case, the court held that "Dower is a sale-price of women".
Ans. (c) : Subrunnissah's case
Explanation: In Subrunnissa's case, it was held that Mahr is the sale price of women. In Muslim law, Mahr is an essential consequence of Nikah. It acts as a check on the unlimited power of talaq of Muslim husband. In Hamira Begum's case it was held that even if Mahr is not fixed, the court can fix it later.
Consideration for marriage
Codes:
Ans. (c) : II and IV are correct
Explanation: Under Muslim law, Mahr is a legal obligation imposed upon the husband as a mark of respect for the wife (according to Abdul Rahim) and according to Sir D.F. Mulla, Mahr is the consideration for marriage. Therefore option (c) i.e. 2 and 4 are correct.
In which of the following case the Supreme Court held that even the wife of a void marriage is entitled to maintenance?
Ans. (b) : Chand Dhawan v. Jawaharlal Dhawan, (1993) 3 SCC 406
Explanation: In Chand Dhawan v. Jawaharlal Dhawan (1993), the Supreme Court held that even the wife of a void marriage will be given maintenance. Section 11 of the Hindu Marriage Act deals with void marriage. According to this, a marriage will be void and null if the conditions of Section 5 clauses (1), (4) and (5) are violated.
In which of the following case, the court held that "Dower is a sale price of woman"?
Ans. (c) : Subrunnisan case
Explanation: In Subrunnisa v. Sabdusheikh 1934, the Calcutta High Court held that Mahr is the sale price of women. Mahr is an essential part of Nikah. If Mahr is not fixed, the court can fix it later. Mahr is the legal obligation of the Muslim husband towards his wife.
Assertion (A): The Muslim Women (Protection of Divorce Rights) Act, 1986 brought changes like limit the period of maintenance to Muslim divorcee till 'iddat' period and in case of no relatives the liability on Wakf Boards.
Reason (R): The Changes were brought under Muslim's pressure.
Codes:
Ans. (a) : Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
Explanation: According to Section 3 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Divorce Rights) Act 1986, a Muslim divorced wife must be given maintenance during the iddat period and if there are no relatives, according to Section 4 clause 2, this liability falls on the Wakf Board. The above Act 1986 was passed by Parliament to reduce the effect of the judgment in Mo. Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano case, and this Act was entirely done due to the pressure of the Muslim community.
Read Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and with the help of codes given below select the correct explanation.
A Hindu wife is entitled to claim maintenance from her husband under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 if:
She is unchaste but living with her husband
She is unchaste but not living with her husband
She is living separate on any ground mentioned under section 18(2) of the Act
She has converted to Muslim religion
Ans. (a) : 1 and 3 Explanation: Under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, a Hindu wife is entitled to maintenance. Even if she is unchaste but living with her husband (Statement 1), she is entitled to maintenance as held in Parsee Mahadevia (1909). She is also entitled if she lives separately on any ground under Section 18(2) (Statement 3). An unchaste wife not living with her husband loses the right to maintenance, and conversion to another religion disentitles her.
Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986, besides the former-husband of Muslim woman, the following relatives etc. are also liable to pay maintenance to her. Give the correct order of liability:
Children
Other relatives
State Wakf Board
Parents
Ans. (d) : 1, 4, 2, 3 Explanation: Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, after the liability of the former husband, the order of liability for maintenance is: first the Children of the divorced woman, then her Parents, then other Relatives (who would inherit her property), and finally the State Wakf Board if no one else is able to pay. This sequential liability ensures that the divorced Muslim woman does not go without maintenance.
Here are all the questions with answers and explanations:
If any person against whom an order has been made under Section 3(3) of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, fails without sufficient cause to comply with the order, the Magistrate may sentence such person to imprisonment for a term which may extend to:
Ans. (b) : one year or until payment if sooner made Explanation: Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, if any person fails without sufficient cause to comply with an order made under Section 3(3), the Magistrate may sentence such person to imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or until payment is sooner made. This provision ensures enforcement of the maintenance order and protects the rights of divorced Muslim women by making non-compliance a punishable offence.
Here are all the questions with answers and explanations:
An unchaste and non-Hindu wife is not entitled to maintenance.
Ans. (b) : 2 and 4 are correct, but 1 and 3 are incorrect Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect — the husband's obligation to maintain his wife is a personal obligation, not merely co-extensive with property. Statement 2 is correct — Section 18(2) specifically provides grounds under which a wife can claim maintenance and separate residence. Statement 3 is incorrect — under Section 19(2), the father-in-law's obligation to maintain the widowed daughter-in-law is not a personal obligation but is charged against the undivided property he inherited from his son. Statement 4 is correct — Section 18(3) expressly provides that an unchaste or non-Hindu wife is not entitled to maintenance.
Match List-I with List-II:
Code:
Ans. (a) : A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2 Explanation: Nijhawan v. Nijhawan — dealt with cruelty in matrimonial relations. Daniel Latifi v. Union of India (2001) — Supreme Court interpreted the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 and upheld the right of maintenance of divorced Muslim women. Husain Ara v. Zubaida Begum — dealt with dower/mehr (mistakenly listed as dowry in the question; dower/mehr is the correct context). Gujarat Woman Workers Association Case — dealt with Uniform Civil Code under Article 44 of the Constitution.
"Dower may be regarded as consideration for connubial intercourse by way of analogy to the contract for sale." The above observation has been made in which of the following cases?
Ans. (a) : Abdul Kadir v. Salma Explanation: In Abdul Kadir v. Salma (1866), the Allahabad High Court observed that under Muslim law, marriage is a civil contract similar to a contract of sale, and dower (mehr) is the consideration for connubial intercourse — analogous to consideration in a contract of sale. This observation established the contractual nature of Muslim marriage and the legal character of dower as consideration for the wife's submission to the marriage.
Which of the following sections of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 deals with the 'rights of adoptive parents to dispose of their properties'?
Ans. (c) : Section 13 Explanation: Section 13 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 deals with the right of adoptive parents to dispose of their properties. It provides that subject to any agreement to the contrary, an adoptive father or mother shall not be deprived by reason of the adoption of the power to dispose of their property by transfer inter vivos or by will. In other words, adoption does not restrict the adoptive parents' right to deal with their own property.
Given below are two statements — Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Every Hindu is bound to maintain his or her legitimate or illegitimate minor Hindu children.
Reason (R): Under Section 20(2) of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 a legitimate or illegitimate minor child may claim maintenance from his or her father or mother.
Ans. (c) : Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) Explanation: Assertion A is correct — Section 20 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 casts an obligation on every Hindu to maintain his or her legitimate and illegitimate minor children during their lifetime. Reason R is also correct — Section 20(2) specifically provides that a legitimate or illegitimate minor child may claim maintenance from his or her father or mother as long as the child is a minor. R correctly explains A as the statutory basis for the obligation stated in A.
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Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, a divorced woman shall be entitled to: A. A reasonable and fair provision and maintenance to be made and paid to her within the 'iddat' period by her formed husband B. Maintenance of children by her former husband for a period of three years C. Get maintenance from her relatives even after her remarriage D. All the properties given to her at any time only by her husband E. An amount equal to the sum of 'Maher' or dower agreed to be paid to her at the time of marriage or at anytime thereafter according to Muslim law
Ans. (a) : A and E only Explanation: Under Section 3(1) of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to: (a) reasonable and fair provision and maintenance within the iddat period from her former husband (Statement A correct), and (c) an amount equal to the Mehr/dower agreed at the time of marriage or thereafter (Statement E correct). Maintenance of children for two years (not three) is available under Section 3(1)(b). Properties given by relatives — not just the husband — are also covered. Statement C is incorrect as maintenance from relatives is not available after remarriage. Hence only A and E are fully correct as stated.
Given below are two statements Statement I : A childless stepmother is entitled to claim maintenance under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act. 1956 Statement II : Under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act. 1956, if the son is to be adopted, the adoptive father or mother should not have a Hindu Son, Son's son or Son's Son's son (whether by legitimate blood relationship or by adoption) living at the time of adoption In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
Ans. (a) : Both statements are correct. Explanation: Section 20(1) of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1950 provides that a Hindu is bound to maintain his aged or infirm parents during his lifetime. As per the Explanation to Section 20, the term 'parent' includes a childless stepmother. Section 11 of the Act provides that if a son is to be adopted, the adoptive father or mother must not have a Hindu son, son's son, or son's son's son (whether by natural blood relationship or by adoption) living at the time of adoption.
Which of the following statement's is/are correct? A. Dower is a consideration for the surrender of person by the wife. B. Dower is the technical Anglo-Mohammedan term for its Equivalent 'Mahr' in Arabic. C. Dower must be fixed at the marriage ceremony otherwise marriage will be void. D. Where no dower is expressly fixed at the marriage ceremony, the law confers the right of dower upon wife.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Ans. (b) : According to Wilson, dower (Mahr) is a consideration for the surrender of the person by the wife. The word 'Dower' is the Anglo-Muslim legal equivalent of the Arabic word 'Mahr'. Under Muslim Law, dower is an essential incident of marriage, and even if it is not mentioned at the time of marriage, the law confers the right of dower upon the wife and it is determined according to settled principles.
The case Bai Tahira V/s Ali Hussain Fidaalli (AIR 1979 SC 362) is related with
Answer: (a) Maintenance
Which one of the following is not part of Specified Dower in Muslim Law ?
Answer: (d) Proper Dower
Arrange the following grounds in chronological order where Hindu wife is entitled to claim maintenance while living separately from her husband as stated in Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956
(A) If he is guilty of Desertion
(B) If he has any other wife living
(C) If he has ceased to be a Hindu
(D) If he keeps a concubine in the same house
(E) If any other cause justifying her living separately
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
Answer: (d) (A), (B), (D), (C), (E)
In which of the following case victims/wife of bigamous marriage were allowed to get maintenance under Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code ?
Answer: (c) Badshah v/s Sou. Urmila Badshah Godse
Arrange the following maintenance-related cases in chronological (ascending) order
A. Saira Banu v. A.M. Abdul Gafoor
B. Danial Latifi v. Union of India
C. Noor Saba Khatoon v. Mohd. Quasim
D. Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum
Answer: (d) D, A, C, B
Explanation: Chronological order of these landmark cases is as follows:
1. Shah Bano Case (1985)
2. Saira Banu (1987)
3. Noor Saba Khatoon (1997)
4. Danial Latifi (2001)
Which of the following case decided by the Supreme Court of India primarily deals with the maintenance to be paid in case of Live-in relationships?
Answer: (d) Chanmuniya V/s Virendra Kumar Singh Kushwaha
Under which condition, a widowed daughter-in-law cannot claim the right of maintenance from the father
inlaw as per Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956?
Answer: (c) If she has ceased to be a Hindu
Match List I with List II LIST I LIST II
A. Muwajjal Mahr I. Specified Dower
B. Mahi-i-Musamma II. Customary Dower
C. Muajjal Mahr III. Deferred Dower
D. Mahr-i-Misl IV. Prompt Dower
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
Answer: (a) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
Explanation: Matching each term under List I with its legal definition under List II:
• A. Muwajjal Mahr: III. Deferred Dower:: Mahr-i-Muwajjal is the deferred portion of the dower under Muslim law. It becomes payable upon the dissolution of marriage (either by death of a spouse or by divorce) or upon the happening of a specified agreed event.
• B. Mahr-i-Musamma: I. Specified Dower: Mahr-i-Musamma refers to the dower amount that has been explicitly settled and specified by the parties to the marriage either before, at the time of, or after the marriage contract.
• C. Muajjal Mahr : IV. Prompt Dower: Mahr-i-Muajjal is the prompt portion of the dower. It is payable immediately on demand by the wife after the marriage contract is solemnized.
• D. Mahr-i-Misl : II. Customary Dower: Mahr-i-Misl (also known as Proper Dower or Customary Dower) applies when the dower amount was not explicitly fixed at the time of marriage. It is determined by considering the social standing, qualifications, and customary dower amounts settled for female relatives of the wife’s father’s family (such as her sisters or paternal aunts). Matching these pairs gives: A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II.
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