The Odisha Court of Wards Act, 1947State Act of Odisha · Act 26 of 1947
(1) No person being the next legal heir of a ward, or appearing to have a direct or indirect advantage in the death or continued disqualification of such ward, shall be appointed guardian of such ward :
Provided that the mother of a ward, or any person appointed guardian by the Will of a person authorised to make such appointment may be appointed guardian by the Court at its discretion.
(2) A female guardian shall be appointed for a female ward, and a male guardian for a male ward above seven years of age, unless, in any case, the Court, for special reasons, shall direct otherwise :
Provided that no guardian shall ordinarily be appointed for a female ward if she has no adult husband.