President Murmu Assents to Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, Making State Second in India
President Droupadi Murmu has granted formal assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, completing the final statutory requirement for the state to enact the legislation. Following the approval, the Gujarat government issued an official gazette notification, establishing Gujarat as the second state in India after Uttarakhand to enact a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code framework.
Article 44 of the Constitution of India, found in Part IV as a Directive Principle of State Policy, outlines that the state shall endeavor to secure a uniform civil code, though these principles remain non-enforceable in courts.
Marriage registration has become mandatory across all communities, with a fine of up to ₹10,000 for failing to register within 60 days.
The legislation, initially passed by the Gujarat Legislative Assembly on March 24, 2026, introduces standardized legal provisions governing marriage, divorce, property inheritance, and live-in relationships. However, the statute explicitly exempts members of Scheduled Tribes from its purview, maintaining traditional protections for tribal communities across the state.
According to Jyoti Judiciary, the Gujarat UCC framework was drafted by a five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai prior to securing assembly passage and presidential assent. According to Jyoti Judiciary, the Gujarat UCC applies to all residents of Gujarat regardless of religion, caste, or creed, while explicitly exempting Scheduled Tribes.
Key Provisions on Marriage and Divorce
The new law institutes mandatory registration for all marriages and divorces within the state, backed by penal provisions for non-compliance. Under the statutory framework, marriages conducted through coercion, force, or concealed identities are strictly prohibited, with violators facing up to seven years of imprisonment. The measure is designed to prevent fraudulent unions and protect individuals from deception.
Divorce procedures under the code have also been tightly regulated. Dissolution of marriage through any mechanism other than a formal court decree is punishable with up to three years in prison. Additionally, the legislation permits divorced couples to remarry without restrictive conditions while explicitly prohibiting the practice of nikah halala within applicable communities.
Property Inheritance and Live-In Regulation
The legislation introduces uniform inheritance rights, ensuring that sons and daughters receive equal shares in parental property succession. In parallel, the framework mandates the official registration of live-in relationships, requiring couples to notify authorities both upon entering and terminating such arrangements.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized that the registration mandate was established to provide legal safeguards and social security for women, citing changing social circumstances and incidents such as the Shraddha Walkar case. Under the new provisions, children born from registered live-in relationships are legally recognized as legitimate heirs with full property rights, and women deserted by their partners are entitled to seek maintenance through legal channels.
Legislative Intent and Safeguards
During assembly debates preceding the enactment, Chief Minister Patel maintained that the Uniform Civil Code was framed to reinforce social harmony, national unity, and women's rights in alignment with Supreme Court observations. Addressing concerns regarding religious freedom, Patel stated that the Gujarat Equal Rights Act was intended to address legal discrimination rather than interfere with religious practices or target specific communities.