Assam Tables UCC Bill, Pushes Ban on Polygamy and Live in Relationship Registration

The Assam government on Monday tabled a significant Bill on the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state assembly, setting the stage for major reforms in personal laws, including a ban on polygamy and mandatory registration of live-in relationships . The Bill, titled The Uniform Civil Code Assam 2026 Bill , was introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , marking a major legislative move in the state’s legal and social policy framework.

The proposed legislation seeks to bring uniformity in laws governing marriage, divorce, succession, and family relations , aiming to simplify and consolidate multiple personal law systems currently in practice. As per the Bill, the minimum age for marriage has been fixed at 21 years for men and 18 years for women , and it explicitly prohibits polygamy , reinforcing a uniform legal standard across communities.

One of the most debated provisions in the Bill is the introduction of a legal framework for live in relationships , which makes their registration compulsory . The government has argued that this provision is intended to provide legal recognition to partners and ensure protection of rights, particularly for children born from such relationships . The Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , in the Statement of Objects and Reasons, said the reform aims to ensure legal clarity and social security within changing relationship structures.

However, the Bill also states that it will not be applicable to Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam , a provision that has already drawn attention and raised questions regarding its scope and inclusivity. The exclusion has become a point of discussion in political and legal circles.

The opposition, including Congress , Raijor Dal , and the Trinamool Congress , strongly opposed the introduction of the Bill in its current form. They demanded wider consultation with all stakeholders , arguing that such a sensitive and far reaching reform requires broader consensus before being enacted.

The government maintains that the Bill is part of its broader commitment to legal reform and aims to align state laws with the broader constitutional vision of a Uniform Civil Code under the Directive Principles of State Policy. The proposal is expected to undergo detailed debate and scrutiny in the Assam Assembly , and is likely to spark further political and legal discussions in the coming days as it moves through the legislative process.