Section 2. Extent an application.

1 [It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir*.] But nothing herein contained applies to any married woman who at the time of her marriage professed the Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jain a religion, or whose husband, at the time of such marriage, professed any of those religions. And the 2[State Government] may from time to time, by order, either retrospectively from the passing of this Act or prospectively, exempt from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act the members of any race, sect or tribe or part of a race, sect or tribe, to whom it may consider it impossible or inexpedient to apply such provisions. The 2[State Government] may also revoke any such order, but not so that the revocation shall have any retrospective effect. All orders and revocations under this section shall be published in the Official Gazette. 3 *****