Gujarat Proposes Uniform Civil Code Bill for 2026: Key Highlights
Introduction of the Uniform Civil Code Bill
The Gujarat government has presented the 2026 Uniform Civil Code Bill in the state Assembly, as reported by a local news outlet.
Significance of the Bill
If enacted, Gujarat will follow Uttarakhand as the second state governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party to adopt a unified personal law framework, which was established in Uttarakhand in 2025.
Details of the Bill
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi introduced the bill, which aims to create a standardized legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships applicable to all residents, regardless of their religious affiliations.
The Uniform Civil Code seeks to unify laws concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, moving away from community-specific regulations that are often based on religious texts.
Committee Recommendations
The bill is founded on the suggestions of a committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, whose findings were submitted to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel recently.
Patel emphasized that the report was the result of extensive research, public discussions, and district visits, asserting that it focuses on ensuring equal rights and safeguarding women's interests.
He also noted that the diverse geography and culture of Gujarat were taken into account during the drafting process.
Scope and Limitations
The proposed law will apply statewide and to residents living in other parts of India or abroad, but it will not affect Scheduled Tribes or groups whose customary rights are constitutionally protected.
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution encourages the establishment of a Uniform Civil Code across the nation, although it remains a non-binding directive.
BJP's Agenda for Uniform Civil Code
The introduction of a common personal law has been a longstanding goal for the BJP, with various states under its governance taking steps toward its implementation.
Uttarakhand was the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code post-independence, while Goa has had a similar code since the Portuguese Civil Code was adopted in 1867.
During its campaign in Uttarakhand, the BJP primarily focused on Muslim personal law, claiming it discriminated against women by allowing practices like polygamy and unequal inheritance rights.
Legal experts have pointed out that Uttarakhand's code is heavily influenced by Hindu personal law, which may marginalize the personal law practices of minority communities.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The 2026 Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill establishes uniform criteria for valid marriages, including a minimum age of 21 for men and 18 for women, along with valid consent and a ban on bigamy.
While it permits marriages to be conducted through religious or customary ceremonies, it mandates registration, imposing penalties for non-compliance or false declarations. Marriages cannot be dissolved outside of court procedures, and all divorce decrees must be registered.
Grounds for divorce include cruelty, desertion, religious conversion, and mental illness, while ensuring women's rights to maintenance, child custody, and alimony.
Additionally, the bill mandates the registration of live-in relationships for couples in Gujarat, although it remains optional for those residing outside the state. Registrars are tasked with verifying that neither partner is a minor, already married, or related within prohibited degrees.
Children from registered live-in relationships will be recognized as legitimate, and a deserted partner may seek maintenance. Failure to register a live-in relationship within a month could result in up to three months of imprisonment or a fine of Rs 10,000, while fraudulent registration could lead to a five-year prison sentence.