Gujarat UCC Gets President’s Assent, State Moves Towards Implementation

The Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, has received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu, clearing a key constitutional hurdle for the state to implement a common legal framework governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships. According to official records of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President gave her assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill on September 17. The Gujarat government has since published the legislation in the state gazette, moving the law closer to operational implementation.

With the enactment of the legislation, Gujarat becomes the second state in India, after Uttarakhand, to legislate a Uniform Civil Code. Uttarakhand's UCC came into force in January 2025. UCC in All 21 NDA States Before 2029, Says Amit Shah.

Gujarat UCC Covers Marriage, Divorce, Inheritance

The Gujarat UCC establishes common provisions relating to marriage, divorce, succession and inheritance, irrespective of religion. Among its provisions, the law prohibits polygamy and provides for uniform conditions relating to marriage and divorce. It also provides equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters and lays down rules governing succession when a person dies without leaving a will. The legislation also recognises adopted children as well as children born through surrogacy or assisted reproductive technology within its definition of a child.

Live-In Relationships Brought Under Legal Framework

The UCC also introduces a formal legal framework for live-in relationships. Partners in a live-in relationship are required to submit a statement to the designated registrar. The law also contains provisions concerning children born from such relationships and provides for maintenance rights in specified circumstances.

Certain live-in relationships are excluded from registration, including cases where one of the partners is already married or is in another registered live-in relationship. The legislation further provides penalties for submitting false information in connection with live-in relationship registration and contains specific provisions concerning relationships involving minors. Maharashtra Government Starts Deliberations on Uniform Civil Code, Annoucment of Committee on UCC Likely Next Week.

Scheduled Tribes Excluded From UCC

The Gujarat UCC does not apply to Scheduled Tribes covered under Article 342 of the Constitution. It also excludes certain communities whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution.

Bill Passed By Gujarat Assembly In March

The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the UCC Bill on March 24, 2026, following a debate that lasted more than seven hours. Opposition Congress members had walked out during the discussion and sought that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee. The legislation was subsequently sent for consideration at the constitutional level before receiving presidential assent. The Gujarat government had earlier constituted a committee to examine the possibility of implementing a Uniform Civil Code in the state. The Bill was introduced after the committee submitted its report.

Gujarat Follows Uttarakhand, Assam Also Gets Presidential Assent

Uttarakhand was the first Indian state to implement a Uniform Civil Code, bringing its law into force in January 2025. Gujarat is now the second state to enact such legislation. Assam's UCC legislation also received presidential assent on September 29, according to Rashtrapati Bhavan records. The Gujarat government's next steps will determine when and how the various provisions of the UCC are operationalised across the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2026 05:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).