Gandhinagar, October 2 (Daily Kiran) : The state of Gujarat has officially implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu. This significant development was announced following the issuance of a gazette notification by the state government, marking the commencement of the law’s enforcement.
The Gujarat Assembly passed the UCC bill in March 2026, which aims to create a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, irrespective of religious affiliations. The government will determine the effective date of the law through a gazette notification.
With the UCC in effect, several crucial changes will be introduced regarding marriage and associated legal matters. Notably, marriage registration will become mandatory. Live-in relationships will also need to be registered under a defined process. The law seeks to establish equal rules for all citizens concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance, and property issues.
The UCC ensures equality between daughters and sons regarding inheritance and property rights. In cases of a person’s death without a will, the rights of the spouse, children, and parents will be specified under the law.
Moreover, the UCC provides equal legal protections for children born through surrogacy and adoption. The rights of children born from live-in relationships will also be safeguarded under this legislation.
Additionally, the UCC enforces a monogamy rule, prohibiting individuals from remarrying while their spouse is still alive. A standardized legal process for marriage and divorce will also be established.
A key provision of the UCC includes the registration of live-in relationships, which must be formalized within a stipulated timeframe and procedure. The law will outline the associated legal rights and obligations.
However, members of Scheduled Tribes are exempt from certain UCC provisions, acknowledging the traditional social and marital structures within tribal communities.
The initiative for the UCC in Gujarat began in 2022, with the state government forming a high-level committee to explore the feasibility of implementing the code prior to the assembly elections.
In February 2024, the Gujarat government established a committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to study the necessity and potential framework of the UCC. This committee reviewed existing laws related to personal civil matters in the state and prepared a report on the UCC’s structure.
After the committee submitted its report to the state government in March 2026, the UCC bill was introduced in the assembly, which passed it on March 24, 2026. Subsequently, the bill was sent for presidential approval, with the central home ministry congratulating the Gujarat government and its legislators upon its passage.
With the president’s endorsement, Gujarat has become the second state, after Uttarakhand, to adopt the UCC. The state government will now proceed with the necessary notifications and regulations for the effective implementation of the law.
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