Gandhinagar, March 25, 2026 — The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making the state the second in India after Uttarakhand to enact a common legal framework governing personal laws across religions. The bill was approved by a majority voice vote following a marathon debate lasting over seven hours.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah promptly welcomed the development, describing it as a “historic step” that advances equality and the BJP’s long-standing commitment to uniform laws. In a post on X, Shah stated: “It has been the BJP’s resolve since its inception that there should be a uniform law for every citizen in the country... I am delighted that after Uttarakhand, Gujarat has now also accomplished the historic task of passing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, thereby demonstrating its commitment.” He congratulated Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the MLAs who supported the bill, adding that the country should run “not on the basis of appeasement, but through equal laws for all citizens.”
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who tabled the bill, termed its passage a “historic moment” for Gujarat and the nation. He invoked Sanatan values and references from the Rigveda, emphasising that the UCC promotes unity, equality, and gender justice while rejecting discrimination based on religion or caste. Patel highlighted special provisions for women’s rights and security, calling the bill a “gift to the sisters and daughters of the state.”
# Key Provisions of the Gujarat UCC Bill, 2026
The legislation establishes a uniform set of rules for marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance, adoption, and live-in relationships, applicable to all residents of Gujarat (including those living outside the state), irrespective of religion. Notable exceptions include members of Scheduled Tribes whose customary laws are constitutionally protected.
Marriage: Mandatory registration within 60 days (penalty up to ₹10,000 for non-compliance). Minimum age remains 21 for men and 18 for women. Bigamy/polygamy is prohibited, with violations punishable by up to seven years in jail. Forced, coerced, or fraudulent marriages also attract up to seven years’ imprisonment.
Divorce: Uniform grounds for dissolution; court approval and registration are mandatory. Out-of-court divorces (such as triple talaq) are invalid and may invite up to three years’ punishment. Women gain unconditional rights to remarry.
Live-in Relationships: Mandatory registration of live-in partnerships and their termination. Non-registration can result in up to three months’ imprisonment or a ₹10,000 fine. The framework aims to provide legal security, particularly for women and children, including maintenance rights and shared parental responsibilities.
Inheritance and Succession: Equal rights for sons and daughters, promoting gender parity in property matters.
Other Aspects: Emphasis on monogamy, maintenance rights (including for live-in partners), and penalties for violations to ensure compliance.
The bill was introduced a week after a state-appointed panel submitted its final report on UCC implementation.
# Opposition Reaction
The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party opposed the bill, demanding it be referred to a select committee. They alleged it was rushed with an eye on elections and described it as “anti-Muslim.” Some opposition members staged protests during the proceedings. The government, however, maintained that the UCC upholds constitutional principles of secularism, equality, and social reform.
With Gujarat’s move, momentum appears to be building for UCC implementation in other BJP-ruled states, following Uttarakhand’s pioneering law in February 2024. The development is being viewed as a significant step towards the Directive Principle of State Policy that calls for a uniform civil code across the country.
The bill now awaits gubernatorial assent and notification to come into effect.
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