In times of SIR, Bengal sees record rush to get marriages registered

KOLKATA: Coinciding with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s electoral roll, 2025 witnessed the highest number of marriage registrations in Bengal.

The year’s count of 1.8 lakh registered marriages even surpassed the tally for 2022, when the numbers had soared due to a Covid-induced pause in registrations.

Officials linked the need for SIR documents to the spurt in marriage registrations, adding that more marriages conducted under Islamic laws were registered in 2025.

Though marriage certificate is not among the 14 listed documents accepted for SIR, the officials said these were accepted during hearings to verify reasons for changes in surnames of women voters and shifting of address.

According to data compiled by Bengal Registrar-General of Marriages, as many as 1,83,733 marriages were registered in 2025, which was 12,335 more than that in 2024. Prior to this, the highest was 1,81,923 marriages registered in 2022.

After Cov-time rush, marriage regns reach peak again
Last year also saw a rise in the number of registrations — 10,969 — under Section 16 of Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954 that allows couples to register their marriages after the actual ceremony. A majority of these — 7,154 — were Muslim couples, who took their vows under Islamic laws.

“In 2022, more than 13,000 already-solemnised marriages were registered under SMA Section 16. Covid protocol had then prevented registrars and couples from registering marriages physically. The same trend is evident in 2025, and this time the primary reason is SIR,” a senior official said.

The previous high for Muslim couples registering their marriages was 6,989 in 2022.

Standard marriage registrations, held on the day of the ceremony and conducted under Section 13 of SMA, also crossed the onelakh threshold for the first time in 2025.

Officials attributed this to the easing of norms for non-resident partners and a more interactive, user-friendly marriage portal.

Last year, 1,04,242 marriages were registered under this section. The previous highest was 99,715 in 2022.