How soon after marriage can I file for divorce?

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, you generally cannot file a divorce petition within the first one year of marriage.

However, there is an important exception:

General rule:

A divorce petition can be filed only after one year from the date of marriage.

Exception (Section 14):

If there is exceptional hardship to the petitioner or exceptional depravity (extreme misconduct) by the other spouse, the court may grant permission to file for divorce before one year.

For example, if there is severe cruelty, serious abuse, or other extraordinary circumstances, the court may allow an early divorce petition.

In the case of Leelamma v. Dilip Kumar The Kerela High Court observed that the restriction under Section 14 is not absolute and may be relaxed where exceptional hardship or exceptional depravity is established.

In simple words you have to wait for one year after marriage to file for divorce. Only in exceptional cases can the court allow you to file earlier.