The Dowry Prohibition Act was passed in:

The Dowry Prohibition Act was passed in 1961 to prohibit the giving or taking of dowry.

How the Act was passed:

• There was a disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha over certain provisions of the bill.
• To resolve the deadlock, the President summoned a joint sitting of both Houses in May 1961.
• This was the first joint sitting of Parliament in India's history.

Main provisions:

• It defines dowry as any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given, directly or indirectly, by one party to a marriage to the other party, in connection with the marriage.
• Giving or taking dowry, or helping in it, is an offence.
• Demanding dowry directly or indirectly is also an offence.
• Advertising to offer property in consideration of marriage is prohibited.
• Any dowry received by a person other than the bride must be transferred to her.

Amendments:

• The Act was amended in 1984 and 1986 to make it stricter.
• Punishment for giving or taking dowry was increased to imprisonment of not less than five years and a fine.
• Dowry Prohibition Officers can be appointed by state governments.

Related provisions in criminal law:

• Dowry death, where a woman dies within seven years of marriage under unnatural circumstances and was harassed for dowry, was made a separate offence.
• Cruelty by the husband or his relatives was made an offence.
• These provisions are now part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Challenges:

• Despite the law, dowry continues in many parts of India.
• Thousands of dowry deaths are reported every year.
• Social awareness and economic empowerment of women are seen as important to end the practice.

Gifts:

Gifts given at the time of marriage without demand, and listed properly, are not treated as dowry.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1955, 1974 and 1986 do not match; 1986 is the year of an amendment to the Act.