Hindu Succession Act, 1956
12. Order of succession among agnates and cognates
The order of succession among agnates or cognates, as the case
may be, shall be determined in accordance with the rules of preference laid
down hereunder:
Rule 1 - Of two heirs, the one who has fewer or no degrees of
ascent is preferred.
Rule 2 - Where the number of degrees of ascent is the same or
none, that heir is preferred who has fewer or no degrees of descent.
Rule 3 - Where neither heirs is entitled to be preferred to the
other under Rule 1 or Rule 2 they take simultaneously.