Gujarat Becomes Second State to Clear Uniform Civil Code
President Droupadi Murmu has granted her formal assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. This move makes Gujarat the second state in the country after Uttarakhand to codify a common set of personal laws. The legislation will officially come into force once the state government notifies the framework rules.
The Bill was cleared by the state assembly following an intense debate. The legislation explicitly exempts the state’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) population from its provisions. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that the framework aims to uphold women’s empowerment, secure equal rights, and foster social harmony across communities.
What The Law Says: Key Provisions of the Gujarat UCC
The newly approved legislation brings massive changes to how personal matters are handled in the state. While civil codes are traditionally a concurrent subject under the Indian Constitution, states have introduced specific measures through legislative assembly approvals followed by presidential clearance.
- Marriage Registration: Registering a marriage becomes mandatory, typically within 60 days. Missing this deadline can attract a fine of up to ₹10,000.
- Prohibition of Polygamy: Bigamy and polygamy are completely outlawed. Marriages solemnized through force, coercion, or fraud carry a strict prison term of up to seven years.
- Strict Rules on Divorce: Customary or out-of-court divorces are rendered invalid. Dissolving a marriage requires formal court approval, failing which violators face up to three years in jail. Practices like triple talaq and nikah halala are legally barred.
- Equal Inheritance: Sons and daughters are guaranteed equal property rights under the new succession framework.
- Live-In Partnerships: Couples in live-in relationships must register their partnership and notify authorities when it ends. Children born from such arrangements are legally deemed legitimate with full inheritance claims, and deserted partners can petition for maintenance.
Constitutional Angle and Legal Context
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, nestled within the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), states that the State shall endeavor to secure for citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India. Though Directive Principles are not legally enforceable by courts, they serve as fundamental guidelines for framing governance policies.
Under Article 254 of the Constitution, state-level legislations on subjects falling within the Concurrent List require presidential assent if they conflict with existing central laws or introduce extensive structural changes to personal laws. With Gujarat joining Uttarakhand, the national debate on a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, and inheritance continues to expand at the regional level.
What Happens Next
Following the presidential assent, the Gujarat government will draft and officially notify the operational rules for the Act. Once these rules are published, the provisions regarding mandatory marriage registrations, live-in reporting, and inheritance adjustments will legally take effect across the state, excluding exempt tribal groups.
Why This Matters For You
For residents of Gujarat and citizens tracking national legal developments, this legislation marks a major shift in family law. Understanding compulsory registration timelines, updated divorce procedures, and inheritance rights is vital to staying compliant with newly enacted state statutes.
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Story reported by India News: Latest India News, Today breaking News Headlines, Real-time News coverage from India | Hindustan Times | Hindustan Times. This article is BareLaw’s independent explanation and analysis.
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