Gujarat Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill, Becomes Second State After Uttarakhand to Adopt Law

Gandhinagar | March 25, 2026 The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill with a majority, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to implement the law. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the move as a step towards ensuring equality and justice, stating that the law will apply uniformly to all citizens regardless of caste or religion. The Bill introduces a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. It mandates the registration of marriages within 60 days, with penalties for non-compliance. It also sets strict rules against forced or fraudulent marriages and provides equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters. According to the government, these provisions aim to strengthen legal protection, especially for women and children. In terms of personal relationships, the law makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory and introduces penalties for violations. Divorce will require court approval and official registration to be considered valid. The Chief Minister said these measures will ensure transparency, prevent misuse, and create a uniform system across communities while safeguarding individual rights. The government stated that the Bill has been drafted after studying Supreme Court observations and legal frameworks in other democratic countries. A committee led by a former Supreme Court judge had also reviewed public feedback before finalising the draft. Officials expressed confidence that the implementation of the UCC will promote gender justice, strengthen social harmony, and contribute to a more equal legal system in the state. Gujarat Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill, Becomes Second State After Uttarakhand to Adopt Law The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill with a majority, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to implement the law. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the move as a step towards ensuring equality and justice, stating that the law will apply uniformly to all citizens regardless of caste or religion. The Bill introduces a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. It mandates the registration of marriages within 60 days, with penalties for non-compliance. It also sets strict rules against forced or fraudulent marriages and provides equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters. According to the government, these provisions aim to strengthen legal protection, especially for women and children. In terms of personal relationships, the law makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory and introduces penalties for violations. Divorce will require court approval and official registration to be considered valid. The Chief Minister said these measures will ensure transparency, prevent misuse, and create a uniform system across communities while safeguarding individual rights. The government stated that the Bill has been drafted after studying Supreme Court observations and legal frameworks in other democratic countries. A committee led by a former Supreme Court judge had also reviewed public feedback before finalising the draft. Officials expressed confidence that the implementation of the UCC will promote gender justice, strengthen social harmony, and contribute to a more equal legal system in the state.