---
title: "Dowry Prohibition Act 1961: Key Provisions | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 criminalises dowry transactions in India, aiming to protect women and enforce marriage equality."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/dowry-prohibition-act-1961"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 is an Indian statute that criminalises the giving, taking, or demanding of dowry in connection with marriage.
- What is the punishment for giving or taking dowry under the Act?
- How does the Dowry Prohibition Act differ from Section 498A IPC?
- Does the Act still apply after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023?
- Who enforces the Act and on whom does the burden of proof fall?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 is an Indian statute that criminalises the giving, taking, or demanding of dowry in connection with marriage.

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## Timeline

1. 20 May 1961

   It received the assent of the President on and came into force on 1 July 1961, extending to the whole of India except, at the time of enactment, the State o…

2. 1 July 1961

   It received the assent of the President on 20 May 1961 and came into force on , extending to the whole of India except, at the time of enactment, the State o…

3. 1 July 2024

   With the entry into force of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 on , the substantive dowry-death and cruelty offences migrated to BNS Sections 80 and 85, while…

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Example

In Satbir Singh v. State of Haryana (2021), the Supreme Court of India upheld a dowry-death conviction under Section 304B IPC, holding that "soon before death" need not mean immediately before and reaffirming the statutory presumption against the accused.

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