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Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill 1986 Passed with Choice Under CrPC Sections 125-128

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
05 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:May 6, 1986370 to 61 voteCrPC Sections 125-128
Bodies:Lok Sabha
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on May 6, 1986, with official amendments.

2.A key amendment (Section 4A) allowed a divorced woman and her former husband to jointly or separately opt to be governed by Sections 125-128 of the CrPC, 1973, for maintenance.

3.The passage was controversial, with the Bill passing by a vote of 370 to 61, leading to a walk-out by most opposition members.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This news revisits a landmark legislation from 1986 that remains crucial for understanding the evolution of Muslim personal law in India. The Bill, passed on May 6, 1986, provides a critical legal option for divorced Muslim women to seek maintenance under the general criminal code, a key point of analysis for Polity and Social Justice sections of competitive exams.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Bill Passed DateMay 6, 1986
Lok Sabha Vote370 to 61
Key Legal ProvisionCrPC Sections 125-128
Key AmendmentSection 4A (Choice provision)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Bill Passed Date: May 6, 1986
  • ›Lok Sabha Vote: 370 to 61
  • ›Target this Data: Year of enactment - 1986; Lok Sabha vote tally - 370 to 61.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The Lok Sabha (which passed the Bill); The Law Ministry (whose minister moved the amendment).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 4A of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986; CrPC Sections 125 to 128.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill, 1986, was introduced in the aftermath of which landmark Supreme Court judgment?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill, 1986:

1. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on May 6, 1986.

2. A key amendment allowed the option to be governed by the Indian Penal Code for maintenance.

3. The Bill was passed with a vote of 370 in favor and 61 against.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was the final vote tally in the Lok Sabha for the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill, 1986?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary legal mechanism introduced by the amendment to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill, 1986, as mentioned in the article?

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