Gandhinagar, March 27: The Gujarat government has introduced mandatory registration for live-in relationships and equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters under the recently drafted Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that these provisions aim to provide legal protection for women. The law, passed in the state assembly earlier this week, mandates the registration of live-in relationships. Failure to comply may result in up to three months of imprisonment or a fine of ₹10,000.
For individuals aged 18 to 21 involved in such relationships, their parents will be notified about the registration. The bill also includes strict penalties for cases where consent is obtained through coercion, intimidation, or deceit. Additionally, it addresses issues involving minors under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Penalties are also outlined for individuals who engage in live-in relationships while already married. Under these provisions, women in live-in relationships will have the right to alimony upon separation. Children born from these relationships will be granted legal recognition, including rights related to identity, maintenance, and inheritance.
The government emphasized that registration will help regulate such relationships and protect the rights of women and children. The bill also establishes a uniform framework for marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Registration of marriages within 60 days is mandatory, with penalties of up to ₹10,000 for non-compliance.
Severe penalties, including up to seven years in prison, are prescribed for marriages conducted under duress, pressure, or deceit, as well as for cases of polygamy. The government asserts that mandatory registration will provide legal recognition to marriages and help verify marital status, thereby reducing the potential for fraud.
According to the law, divorce proceedings must be completed through the courts, and subsequent registration is required. Divorces conducted outside the legal framework will be deemed invalid. Violations of these regulations could lead to imprisonment for up to three years.
The provisions also allow women to remarry unconditionally after a legally recognized divorce. The government’s aim is to prevent fraudulent separations, illegal divorces, and misinformation regarding marital status while ensuring transparency in future marriages.
This law establishes uniform provisions for maintenance across all religions and grants equal inheritance rights to sons and daughters. The government believes this will promote gender equality, enhance women’s economic security, and create a more equitable family structure.
Presenting the bill in the assembly, Chief Minister Patel remarked that this step reflects the government’s broader commitment to equality. He stated, “This is not just a legal process; it is our firm intention to strengthen our national commitment to equality, justice, and unity under the leadership of the Prime Minister.”
In a broader context, he referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a united and indivisible India, embodied in the concept of “One India, Great India.” He emphasized that a uniform legal framework and equal opportunities are essential to achieving this goal.
The government noted that the bill was developed after a thorough study of existing Indian laws, including the Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, and Indian Succession Act, alongside Supreme Court and High Court rulings. Key cases reviewed included Mohammad Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum (1985), Sarla Mudgal vs. Union of India (1995), Shayara Bano vs. Union of India (2017), and Shabnam Hashmi vs. Union of India (2014).
Officials clarified that this law will not interfere with religious customs and traditions but will focus solely on regulating civil and legal aspects.
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