We’ve been married for half a year, and we both feel it’s not working. Can we separate now and file for divorce after a year? What grounds can we use for a mutual divorce? Is it necessary to have consummated the marriage first? How long could the whole process take?

Under Indian law, you can separate but cannot file for divorce within a year of marriage. Mutual consent divorce requires one year of marriage and can be filed on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Consummation is not a legal requirement for divorce in India. The entire process, including court proceedings, can take several months to a few years.