Marital dissolution is an important indicator of changing family and marital relations in contemporary India. Traditionally, marriage has been closely associated with family stability, social expectations and community norms; however, changes in education, employment, gender relations, urbanisation and individual aspirations are gradually reshaping marital relationships. The present study examines the trends, patterns and sociological determinants of marital dissolution in contemporary India, with particular attention to divorce and separation. The study adopts a quantitative, descriptive and analytical research design based on secondary data obtained from the Census of India, National Family Health Survey (NFHS), government reports and other official sources. The study uses descriptive and comparative analysis to examine variations in marital dissolution across gender, age, region, rural–urban residence and socioeconomic characteristics. The findings indicate that although marital dissolution remains relatively low in overall prevalence, it has gradually gained social significance and displays considerable gender and regional variations. Women show higher levels of divorce and separation than men, while differences are also observed across age groups, regions and residential categories. Education, women's economic autonomy, age at marriage, domestic violence and changing gender relations emerge as important factors associated with marital dissolution. The study argues that divorce and separation should not be viewed solely as indicators of family breakdown, but also as manifestations of changing individual autonomy, gender relations and expectations surrounding marriage. The study concludes that marital dissolution provides an important sociological lens for understanding the broader transformation of marriage and family life in contemporary India.

Mukul Kumar, Dr. Shubha Singh, "Marital Dissolution in Contemporary India: Trends, Patterns and Sociological Determinants" International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Studies, V1(3): Page(124-131) July - August 2026. ISSN: 3139-0854. www.ijhssrs.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.