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Gujarat Assembly Passes Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026
Gujarat becomes the second state after Uttarakhand to adopt a Uniform Civil Code through a recently passed bill. The law introduces uniform provisions governing personal matters across communities.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Provision | Is provided under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy directing the state to strive for a Uniform Civil Code. |
| Objective | Provides for a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance, and live-in relationships irrespective of religion. |
| State Adoption | Provides for adoption by Uttarakhand and Gujarat. |
| Exemption | Applies exclusion to Scheduled Tribes and groups with constitutionally protected customary rights. |
| Marriage Provision | Provides for prohibition of bigamy by restricting second marriage during subsistence of first marriage. |
| Live-in Relationship Provision | Provides for mandatory registration of live-in relationships. |
| Existing Example | Provides for operation of a common civil code in Goa under the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867. |
| Rationale | Comprises equality before law, gender justice, and national integration through uniform personal laws. |
| Judicial Support | Provides for references in Shah Bano case 1985 and Sarla Mudgal case 1995 supporting need for UCC. |
| Challenges | Comprises concerns over religious freedom, diversity, and lack of consensus among communities. |