New Delhi – After President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on 17 September 2026, Gujarat has surmounted the final constitutional obstacle for its Uniform Civil Code. The bill, already cleared by the state legislature earlier this year, now heads toward implementation, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to obtain presidential approval for a UCC statute.
Scope of the Gujarat UCC
The new act consolidates personal‑law matters that were previously regulated by religion‑specific statutes into one uniform code. It sets common criteria for marriage, outlines a standardized divorce procedure, and creates a single set of inheritance rules. Notably, the code prohibits remarriage while a spouse is alive, effectively banning polygamy.
Legal Recognition of Live‑in Partnerships
For the first time in the state, live‑in relationships are given a statutory definition and a registration process. Couples must submit a declaration to register their cohabitation, and the code also details a clear mechanism for terminating such arrangements. The definition characterises a live‑in partnership as a marriage‑like bond between a man and a woman sharing a household.
Equal Rights in Succession
Inheritance provisions have been overhauled to ensure sons and daughters enjoy identical rights. Property and succession issues will now be dealt with under a single rule‑book, eradicating the gender‑based inequities that existed under earlier personal laws.
Tribal Communities Remain Exempt
The legislation expressly excludes Scheduled Tribes and certain other groups whose customary practices enjoy constitutional protection. These communities will continue to be governed by their traditional personal laws.
From Legislative Passage to Presidential Signature
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026 after extensive debate. Following the assembly’s approval, the bill was sent to the President for constitutional assent, which was granted on 17 September 2026. The state now must draft detailed rules and administrative procedures to bring the code into effect.
