President Murmu Signs Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Act 2026

President Droupadi Murmu granted formal assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 on September 17, officially enacting the legislation in Gujarat. The state becomes the second in India to implement such a framework after Uttarakhand. The law, which passed the Gujarat Legislative Assembly on March 24, 2026, replaces community-specific and religious laws with standardized regulations for marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships.

Key provisions of the Act include the prohibition of polygamy and nikah halala, equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters, and a minimum marriage age of 21 for men and 18 for women. The law mandates the registration of marriages and live-in relationships within 60 days; failure to register a live-in relationship after one month of cohabitation can result in a 10,000 rupee fine and up to three months of imprisonment. Additionally, the Act requires court-approved divorces, rendering out-of-court settlements invalid. Scheduled Tribes and groups with constitutionally protected customary rights remain exempt.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders framed the code as a tool for women's empowerment and national unity. Conversely, the Indian National Congress and AAP criticized the move as politically motivated, arguing the government failed to consult diverse communities and that the legislation serves electoral interests rather than the citizens.