Gujarat assembly passes UCC bill, live-in relationships must now be registered

Gujarat Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026 , after a seven-and-a-half-hour debate. The law establishes a unified framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships for all residents, irrespective of religion. Passed by a majority voice vote , Gujarat becomes the second state after Uttarakhand to enact such legislation.

The bill follows a year-long process. In February 2025, the state formed a five-member committee chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, including a retired IAS officer, an advocate, a former vice-chancellor, and a social worker, to examine UCC feasibility. Extensive district-level consultations yielded nearly 20 lakh public suggestions . Of respondents, 81% favoured common marriage laws, 79% uniform divorce rules, 83% equal property rights, and 86% mandatory divorce registration, forming the basis of the bill.

The legislation mandates registration of marriages and live-in relationships, with non-registration attracting fines up to ₹10,000. Marriages under coercion, fraud, bigamy, or polygamy may face up to seven years’ imprisonment. Divorce requires court approval and registration, while women gain unconditional remarriage rights and equal inheritance for sons and daughters. Live-in relationships, which are increasingly common and often short-term, must now be registered; non-registration can lead to fines or up to three months’ imprisonment. Parental notification is required for individuals aged 18-21, adding further intrusion into personal lives. Scheduled Tribes are exempted , reflecting constitutionally protected customary practices, but the broader rules are framed as protecting “culture” despite modern lifestyles.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, citing Articles 14 and 44, stressed constitutional legitimacy and equality. Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi hailed it as empowering Gujarat. Opposition from Congress and AAP criticized the bill as rushed, infringing on religious freedoms, and violating minority rights, with Muslim legislators warning of protests and judicial challenges. Gujarat joins Uttarakhand in legislating UCC, while Goa retains its existing common civil law. The move underscores BJP’s commitment to legal uniformity but also highlights ongoing national debates over cultural and religious plurality , women’s equality, and the rights of young people.