Gujarat UCC Bill gets President’s nod, rules to follow

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, paving the way for its implementation in the state, according to agency reports.
The legislation received presidential assent on September 17 and was published in the extraordinary gazette on October 1. Gujarat is set to become the second state after Uttarakhand to implement a codified common set of personal laws.The state government will now frame and notify detailed rules required to enforce the legislation. The UCC provides a common legal framework for matters including marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships.

#WATCH | Kevadia, Gujarat | President Droupadi Murmu has given her formal assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 | President of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, Amit Chavda says, "...In Gujarat, young people are unemployed, and exam paper leaks are frequent.… pic.twitter.com/UbnnanksIM

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2026

The Gujarat Assembly passed the Bill on March 24 following a debate of around seven hours. It was introduced a week after a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai submitted its final report on implementing a UCC in the state.
Key Provisions
Under the Act, registration of marriages and divorces will be mandatory, with violations attracting penalties of up to Rs 10,000. The Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006, will be repealed once the new law comes into force.The legislation also makes registration of live-in relationships compulsory and requires formal notification of their termination. Children born from such relationships will be recognised as legitimate, while women abandoned by live-in partners can seek maintenance.
The law prohibits polygamy and provides for imprisonment of up to seven years for marriages obtained through force, coercion or deceit. A divorce not granted through a court decree can attract imprisonment of up to three years.The Code will not apply to members of Scheduled Tribes and persons or groups whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution.
While the state government has said the Bill was drafted after consultations with various sections of society, some rights activists have raised concerns over its constitutional implications. Rights activist Shamshad Pathan, who made representations before the UCC panel, argued that the legislation conflicts with constitutional provisions, including Articles 25 to 30.

(State Correspondent)