Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, received Presidential assent on 2 October 2026 and was notified as Gujarat Act No. 15 of 2026 in the Gujarat Government Gazette Extraordinary on 1 October 2026. The Bill was passed by the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in March 2026 after a debate lasting seven to eight hours.
Uniform Civil Code in India
A Uniform Civil Code is a proposed common set of civil laws for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, and adoption. Article 44 of the Constitution of India places the UCC among the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Key Provisions of the Gujarat Law
The Gujarat UCC provides a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, and live-in relationships. It requires registration of marriages within 60 days and registration of live-in relationships within 30 days.
The law recognises children born from registered live-in relationships as legitimate. It also prohibits polygamy and bigamy and provides equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters.
State-Level Application and Exemptions
With this assent, Gujarat became the second state in India after Uttarakhand to enact a comprehensive state-level Uniform Civil Code. Members of Scheduled Tribes are excluded from the provisions of the Gujarat UCC.
The law will come into force on a date to be separately notified by the Gujarat state government.
Important Facts for Exams
- Article 44 of the Constitution of India is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to enact a state-level Uniform Civil Code.
- Gujarat Act No. 15 of 2026 is the legal form of the Gujarat UCC Bill after notification.
- Scheduled Tribes are excluded from the Gujarat UCC provisions.
