Under the Hindu Law, a person is considered to be a minor till he attains the age of 16 years. However there is still a dispute or rather confusion whether it will be the beginning of the sixteenth year or whether it will be the completion of the sixteenth year. However, when a guardian has been appointed by a Court of Justice, the ward will be considered to be a minor till he attains the age of 21 years. A near relative is usually appointed as the guardian of a child. Although previously only the father was considered to be the natural guardian of the child, as of now, the mother is also considered to be the natural guardian of the child. If any other relative wants to become the guardian of a child, then he has to derive the rights from the court. Even if a father of a child is unfit to remain a natural guardian of a child, the court is not authorized to appoint anyone else as the natural guardian.
