New Delhi: The Assam Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, introducing a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships in the state. The legislation was adopted on May 27 after a heated debate in the 126-member House, with support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies.
The law makes Assam the third state in the country to adopt such legislation after Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Scheduled Tribes, who account for 12.45 percent of Assam’s population, remain outside its scope.
The Bill prohibits polygamy, makes registration of marriages and divorces compulsory, and introduces mandatory registration of live-in relationships. Couples in live-in relationships must register within one month. Failure to do so could attract imprisonment, fines, or both. The law also establishes uniform inheritance provisions and grants adults the right to execute written wills.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the legislation, stating that it aims to promote equal rights, legal clarity, and social justice. The government maintained that religious and customary marriage ceremonies would continue, preserving cultural practices while introducing a common legal framework.
Opposition parties, including Congress, Raijor Dal, and Trinamool Congress, opposed the Bill. They argued that the government introduced the legislation without adequate consultation with minority organisations and demanded examination by a Select Committee. Critics stated that exempting Scheduled Tribes weakened the claim of uniformity.
Muslim organisations and community leaders had earlier urged the government to hold wider consultations before introducing the Bill. Representatives from several religious and social bodies argued that aspects of the legislation affect personal laws and religious practices.
The Bill will repeal the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Act, 2024. It also includes penalties for fraudulent marriages, illegal divorce procedures, and failure to register marriages or divorces within the prescribed period.
The passage of the law has intensified debate over personal laws, constitutional rights, religious freedom, and the future of civil legislation in India’s diverse society.
