UCC in 21 NDA States Before 2029, Says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set out an ambitious timeline for expanding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying that all 21 states and Union Territories governed by the BJP-led NDA are expected to introduce the common framework before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The statement signals a continued push by the NDA governments to advance uniformity in personal laws through state-level legislation.

Speaking to the media in Mumbai on Sunday, Shah said that the UCC had already been introduced in some states and expressed confidence that the remaining NDA-ruled states would implement it before the next general election.

“Triple talaq has been abolished, giving Muslim women equal rights. We have introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in several states and I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states, we will introduce the UCC before 2029,” Shah said.

The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish common provisions for personal matters including marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, irrespective of religious identity. Its implementation has remained a longstanding commitment of the BJP and was also included in the party’s manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Uttarakhand leads the UCC rollout

Uttarakhand is currently the only state where the UCC is operational. The state brought its UCC into effect in January 2025, covering areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession and live-in relationships. Since its implementation, amendments have also been made to the law and rules to deal with procedural and practical issues.

The initiative has subsequently expanded to other BJP-ruled states, with several states moving towards their own legislative frameworks.

Gujarat passed its UCC Bill in March this year, following Uttarakhand. However, the legislation has not yet come into effect and is awaiting completion of the required process after its passage.

Assam passed its UCC Bill in May. The legislation establishes common provisions concerning marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, while keeping Scheduled Tribes outside its scope.

Madhya Pradesh passed its UCC Bill in July, becoming the latest state to approve such legislation. The proposed framework includes compulsory registration of marriages, equal inheritance rights for men and women and provisions regulating live-in relationships. Tribal communities have also been excluded from its ambit. The legislation will require Presidential assent before it can become operational.

Why are tribal communities excluded?

The decision to keep tribal communities outside the state-level UCC frameworks has become a significant aspect of the legislation.

Shah has maintained that the government does not intend to disrupt the customary laws, traditions and established practices followed by tribal communities. Similar exemptions have consequently been incorporated into the UCC legislation passed in Assam and Madhya Pradesh.

State-led approach instead of a central UCC

The current NDA strategy is proceeding primarily through state legislation rather than through a single Central law that would immediately establish a uniform code across the country.

The BJP and NDA are currently in power in 21 states and Union Territories, while preparations for UCC-related frameworks are also underway in several other BJP-ruled states. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, among others, have been examining or working towards their respective frameworks.

The experience of Uttarakhand also illustrates the administrative requirements involved in implementing the UCC. Its official UCC portal provides registration and related services covering areas such as marriage, divorce, live-in relationships and succession.

Shah’s 2029 target therefore places the UCC at the centre of a broader state-by-state legislative exercise. If the proposed timeline is achieved, the coming years are likely to see further movement on personal-law reforms across NDA-governed states.