The Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, has received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu, paving the way for its implementation in the state, according to a notification published in the Gujarat Government Gazette.
The Act will come into force on a date to be notified by the Gujarat government through the Gazette.
The Gujarat Assembly, ruled by the BJP, passed the Bill on March 24 after a debate lasting more than seven hours. The legislation was published in an extraordinary gazette dated October 1, which states that the President gave her assent on September 17.
The law seeks to provide a common legal framework covering marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships. It will apply across Gujarat and also to residents of the state living outside Gujarat.
Who Is Excluded From the UCC?
The Act excludes members of Scheduled Tribes covered under Article 342 of the Constitution. It also excludes persons or groups whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution.
The legislation introduces common rules for marriage, divorce and succession while also regulating live-in relationships.
It prohibits bigamy and makes monogamy a condition for marriage, stating that 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 can be conducted according to customary practices, religious beliefs, ceremonies, rites and rituals. The Act specifically mentions practices including Saptapadi, Nikah, Anand Karaj and Mangal Fera.
Marriage Registration Made Mandatory
Under the Act, registration of marriages is mandatory. Couples must submit a memorandum for registration within 60 days for marriages solemnised after the Code comes into force.
Failure to submit the mandatory registration memorandum can attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000.
The Code also lays down common grounds for divorce, including adultery, cruelty, desertion for at least two years, conversion and disappearance for seven years.
It provides for divorce by mutual consent when the couple has lived separately for at least one year.
The Act states that no marriage can be dissolved except according to its provisions, even if a personal law, custom or tradition provides otherwise.
Children born from marriages declared null and void will be treated as legitimate under the Code.
Common Rules for Succession
The legislation also provides a common framework for succession.
When a person dies without leaving a will, their estate will first pass to specified Class-1 heirs, followed by Class-2 heirs and other relatives according to the provisions of the Code.
The law also provides for equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons, a provision highlighted by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel when the Bill was passed.
Live-in Relationships to Be Registered
One of the significant provisions of the Gujarat UCC is the regulation of live-in relationships.
Partners living in Gujarat will be required to submit a statement of their live-in relationship to the designated registrar. Gujarat residents living outside the state can submit the statement to the registrar in the area where they ordinarily reside.
Children born from a live-in relationship will be recognised as legitimate.
In certain cases, information submitted for registration can be forwarded to the local police station. If either partner is below 21 years of age, their parents or guardians are to be informed.
Congress, AAP Opposed the Bill
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Bill through a majority voice vote on March 24. Congress and AAP opposed the legislation and demanded that it be sent to a select committee.
The Bill was introduced a week after a state-appointed panel submitted its final report on implementing a UCC to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
At the time, Patel described mandatory marriage registration, registration of live-in relationships, common divorce rules, equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons, and penalties for non-compliance as key provisions of the legislation.
On marriage registration, Patel said a fine of up to Rs 10,000 could be imposed if registration was not completed within 60 days.
He also said that registration after a court-granted divorce would be mandatory and that “out-of-court divorces will be invalid”.
On live-in relationships, Patel said registration was mandatory but argued that the provision was “not meant to snatch anyone’s freedom, but for the legal protection of our daughters”.
The Act will now come into force once the Gujarat government issues a separate notification specifying the date of implementation.
