Ahmedabad: President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, clearing the path for its implementation across the state. A notification published in the Gujarat Government Gazette confirms the development, with the Act set to come into force on a date the state government will announce through a separate gazette notification.
The Gujarat Assembly, controlled by the BJP, passed the Bill on March 24 after a debate of more than seven hours. The legislation was published in an extraordinary gazette dated October 1, with the presidential assent recorded as September 17.
The law introduces a common legal framework covering marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships. It applies to all residents of Gujarat, including those living outside the state.
Members of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution are excluded from the Act, as are persons whose customary rights receive protection under Part XXI of the Constitution.
The law prohibits bigamy and makes monogamy a condition for marriage. Neither party can have a living spouse at the time of marriage. The minimum marriageable age remains 21 for men and 18 for women. Marriages conducted according to customary practices, religious ceremonies, rites and rituals remain valid. The Act specifically names Saptapadi, Nikah, Anand Karaj and Mangal Fera as recognised practices.
Registration of marriages is mandatory under the Code. Couples must submit a memorandum for registration within 60 days of solemnisation. Failure to comply attracts a penalty of up to Rs 10,000.
On divorce, the Code sets common grounds including adultery, cruelty, desertion for at least two years, conversion, and disappearance for seven years. Divorce by mutual consent is available when couples have lived separately for at least one year. No marriage can be dissolved outside the Code’s provisions, even where personal law, custom or tradition may otherwise allow it.
The legislation provides equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons. When a person dies without a will, the estate passes first to Class-1 heirs, then Class-2 heirs and other relatives.
Partners in live-in relationships in Gujarat must register their relationship with a designated registrar. If either partner is below 21 years of age, parents or guardians are to be informed. In certain cases, registration information can be forwarded to the local police station. Children born from live-in relationships will be recognised as legitimate.
Congress and AAP opposed the Bill and demanded it be referred to a select committee. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the legislation as providing legal protection, particularly for women, through mandatory registration and common rules.
