President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation passed by Gujarat and Assam, taking the number of states with presidentially approved UCC laws to three, after Uttarakhand.
The Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, received presidential assent on September 17, while the Assam UCC Bill was approved on September 29.
The development marks a significant step in the legislative process for both states. However, the laws will come into force only after the respective state governments notify the required rules and commencement dates.
The legislation seeks to establish a common legal framework governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships.
Gujarat Becomes Second State After Uttarakhand
Gujarat has become the second state in independent India to receive presidential assent for a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code, following Uttarakhand.
The Gujarat Assembly passed the bill on March 24, 2026, after an extensive debate lasting around eight hours.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel introduced the legislation following the submission of a report by a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The committee examined the proposed framework for introducing a common civil code in the state.
The legislation was subsequently reserved for the President’s consideration before receiving assent on September 17.
It was published in the Gujarat Government Gazette on October 1 as Gujarat Act No. 15 of 2026.
Assam Becomes Third State to Receive Presidential Assent
Assam’s UCC legislation received President Murmu’s approval on September 29, following its passage in the state Assembly in May 2026.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had described the legislation as an effort to establish a common framework for personal laws while addressing issues such as child marriage and polygamy.
The bill was passed amid a heated debate, with opposition members raising concerns over provisions affecting religious practices and personal laws.
The legislation also provides exemptions for Scheduled Tribes, reflecting constitutional protections for customary practices.
With presidential assent, Assam joins Uttarakhand and Gujarat among the states that have cleared the legislative process for their respective UCC frameworks.
What Do the UCC Laws Cover?
The Gujarat and Assam legislation addresses several aspects of personal civil law.
The provisions include:
- Registration of marriages.
- Common legal procedures for divorce.
- Rules governing inheritance and succession.
- Restrictions on polygamy and bigamy.
- Registration requirements for live-in relationships.
- Legal provisions concerning children born from live-in relationships.
The Gujarat law also provides for equal property rights for sons and daughters.
However, the exact provisions and exemptions differ between the two state legislations.
Gujarat UCC Includes Mandatory Registration
Under Gujarat’s legislation, marriages must be registered within the prescribed period.
The law also establishes procedures for registering live-in relationships and reporting their termination.
It prohibits polygamy and bigamy and provides a common framework for divorce and succession.
Scheduled Tribes and certain groups whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution are excluded from the legislation’s scope.
The state government will have to notify the detailed rules before the law becomes operational.
Assam’s Law Addresses Marriage and Personal Relations
The Assam UCC legislation also provides for common rules concerning marriage, divorce and inheritance.
It includes provisions aimed at preventing child marriage and polygamy, along with registration requirements for marriages and live-in relationships.
The law’s tribal exemptions have been an important part of the legislative discussion in Assam.
The government has maintained that the exemptions protect customary practices and constitutional rights of tribal communities.
The legislation’s implementation will depend on the rules and administrative arrangements to be notified by the state government.
Uttarakhand Remains the First State to Implement UCC
Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to implement a Uniform Civil Code when its law came into force in January 2025.
The state introduced common provisions governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships, subject to specified exemptions.
Gujarat and Assam have now received presidential assent for their respective laws, but their implementation is still pending the notification of rules and commencement dates.
The distinction between legislative approval and actual enforcement remains important when assessing the status of the three states.
UCC Debate Continues Across India
The Uniform Civil Code is linked to Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for citizens throughout India.
Supporters of UCC legislation have argued that common civil rules can promote legal consistency and equal treatment.
Opponents have raised concerns about religious freedom, cultural diversity and the impact of uniform provisions on personal laws and customary practices.
The debate has continued across legislative forums and public discussions as more states consider similar proposals.
Rules and Implementation Remain the Next Steps
With presidential assent secured, Gujarat and Assam will now move towards preparing and notifying the rules required for implementation.
The two state governments will also need to establish administrative procedures for registrations, documentation and enforcement.
The latest approvals bring Gujarat and Assam into the group of states with presidentially cleared UCC legislation after Uttarakhand.
However, the actual commencement of the laws will depend on separate notifications by the respective state governments.