Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026 Passed in Madhya Pradesh, Fourth State to Adopt UCC

The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, by a voice vote, marking a major legislative milestone as Madhya Pradesh moves to become the fourth state in India to adopt a common civil code. The legislation was cleared following intense debates and vocal protests from the opposition Indian National Congress, whose members raised concerns over the duration allotted for discussion and specific clauses within the draft.

Introduced during the Monsoon Session of the House by State Minister Gautam Tetwal, the bill establishes a uniform legal framework governing personal matters—including marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and live-in relationships—for all residents across the state, while explicitly exempting Scheduled Tribe communities. UCC in Madhya Pradesh: Only Those With One Marriage Will Have Right to Reside in State, Says CM Mohan Yadav.

Under the newly passed civil code, polygamy and practices such as nikah halala are strictly prohibited state-wide. The legislation sets the legal age of marriage at 21 for men and 18 for women, mandating civil registration for all marriages down to the village level.

Additionally, the law enforces equal inheritance rights for men and women and accords equal legal status to children born through marriage, live-in relationships, adoption, surrogacy, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). Live-in relationships must also be registered with state authorities within one month of cohabitation.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav defended the bill as a transformative step toward gender equality and social cohesion. "Our objective is to guarantee equal rights for every citizen without discrimination," Yadav said, noting that extensive public outreach took place before finalizing the legislation. The passage of the bill was accompanied by sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches. Congress lawmakers protested against the voice vote, arguing that a bill of such magnitude required a clause-by-clause division vote and further scrutiny by a select committee. Madhya Pradesh Govt Tables Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 in Legislative Assembly.

Uniform Civil Code Bill Passed in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Assembly passes Uniform Civil Code bill by voice vote amid Opposition Congress' protests pic.twitter.com/LGnfGBxgor

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2026

Opposition leaders accused the ruling party of rushing the legislation through the House without adequate time for detailed debate, while also questioning the practical implementation of live-in relationship registries and the potential impact on traditional customary practices. Government ministers rejected the charges, asserting that the draft had been made available in advance and that the exclusion of tribal populations ensures that indigenous traditions remain fully protected.

The legislation stems from the recommendations of a six-member committee appointed by the state government and headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The panel submitted a multi-part report after conducting a two-month statewide public consultation process, during which it analyzed over 958,000 suggestions submitted via online platforms and regional outreach campaigns.

The state Cabinet unanimously approved the draft UCC Bill 2026 during a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yadav at Jagdishpur prior to its introduction in the Assembly. With this legislative approval, Madhya Pradesh joins Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam among Indian states moving to enact common civil laws. The bill will now be forwarded to the Governor for assent before being officially notified into law.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2026 03:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).