1. (1) This Act may be called the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and applies also to citizens of India domiciled in the territories to which this Act extends who are 2 [in the State of Jammu and Kashmir].
(3) It shall come into force on such date 3 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.