Introduction: In India, marriage is a complicated social institution that is firmly rooted in caste-based, religious, and cultural customs. It is not just a union between two people. Despite changes throughout time, the mate-selection process still reflects and perpetuates structural inequality, especially with regard to gender and caste. Caste endogamy is still a major organizing force in the traditional practice of arranged marriage, which is frequently controlled by family elders and social conventions. In many situations, women's autonomy in selecting spouses is still disputed and constrained, even in the face of increased female education, work, and urbanization. Objective: The present study examines the intersection of mate selection and the role of women within the institution of marriage in India. Methodology: Drawing on a wide body of literature from various databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar with the help of particular keywords and phrases such as marriage formation, marriage & caste, obstacles & opportunity in the process of marriage, cultural factors in shaping marriage patterns, age at marriage and marital satisfaction have been used. Conceptual flowchart for the systematic review has been prepared to trace the historical roots of arranged marriages and examines how patriarchal structures and caste-based restrictions have long governed marital choices, often at the expense of women’s autonomy. Results: The review highlights the gradual but meaningful rise in women’s participation in premarital decisions, especially in urban and educated contexts, along with emerging trends such as love marriages, hybrid marriage forms, and the use of digital matchmaking platforms. It also analyses the extent of women’s role in post-marital domains such as household decision-making, reproductive choices, and financial autonomy. Conclusion: Despite progress, the review emphasizes that structural inequalities especially those linked to caste, class, and geography continue to limit full autonomy for many women. The findings underscore the need for policy interventions and social reforms aimed at dismantling patriarchal barriers and enabling equitable participation in marital decisions. This study contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality by contextualizing the evolving role of women in Indian marital systems through a multidimensional and intersectional lens.
Kumari et al. (Sat,) studied this question.