Gandhinagar, Mar 19: Gujarat has taken a major step towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after the state cabinet approved the Gujarat UCC Bill, 2026, and sent it to the Assembly for tabling in the ongoing session.
The proposed law lays down a uniform legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships across communities, with exemptions for Scheduled Tribes. The draft is largely based on the Uttarakhand UCC Act.
The bill was prepared by a panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, which submitted its report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ahead of cabinet approval.
Among key provisions, live-in couples must register their relationship with the district registrar, and any child born from such unions will be considered legitimate. Women deserted by partners can claim maintenance.
The bill mandates compulsory registration of marriages and divorces, with penalties up to ₹10,000 for non-compliance. It also bans polygamy, prescribing up to seven years’ imprisonment for violations, and allows divorced couples to remarry without preconditions, effectively barring practices like halala.
The minimum marriage age is fixed at 21 for men and 18 for women. In inheritance cases, a three-tier system of heirs has been proposed.
The government said the legislation aims to ensure equality, gender justice and uniform civil rights, following Uttarakhand, which enacted a similar law in 2024. (Agencies)
