6. Natural guardians of a Hindu minor.

The natural guardians of a Hindu minor; in respect of the
minor’s person as well as in respect of the minor’s property (excluding his or her undivided interest in
joint family property), are—
(a) in the case of a boy or an unmarried girl—the father, and after him, the mother: provided that
the custody of a minor who has not completed the age of five years shall ordinarily be with the
mother;
(b) in the case of an illegitimate boy or an illegitimate unmarried girl—the mother, and after her,
the father;
(c) in the case of a married girl—the husband:
Provided that no person shall be entitled to act as the natural guardian of a minor under the provisions
of this section—
(a) if he has ceased to be a Hindu, or
(b) if he has completely and finally renounced the world by becoming a hermit (vanaprastha) or
an ascetic (yati or sanyasi).
Explanation.—In this section, the expressions “father” and “mother” do not include a step-father and
a step-mother.