New Delhi – With President Droupadi Murmu signing the bill on 17 September 2026, Gujarat has cleared the final constitutional hurdle for its Uniform Civil Code. The measure, already cleared by the state legislature earlier this year, now moves toward implementation, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to obtain presidential endorsement for a UCC statute.
Scope of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code
The legislation replaces religion‑specific personal laws with a single set of rules governing personal matters. It standardises the criteria for a valid marriage, introduces a uniform divorce procedure and sets common inheritance guidelines. Notably, the code prohibits remarriage while a spouse is alive, effectively outlawing polygamy.
Legal Recognition of Live‑in Partnerships
For the first time in the state, live‑in relationships gain a statutory definition and a registration pathway. Couples must submit a declaration to register their cohabitation, and the code delineates a clear mechanism for terminating such arrangements. The definition frames a live‑in partnership as a marriage‑like bond between a man and a woman sharing a household.
Equal Inheritance Rights
Inheritance provisions have been overhauled to ensure sons and daughters enjoy identical rights. Property and succession matters will now be adjudicated under a single set of rules, eradicating the gender‑based disparities that existed under earlier personal laws.
Exemptions for Tribal Communities
The act expressly excludes Scheduled Tribes and certain other groups whose customary practices are constitutionally protected. These communities will continue to be governed by their traditional personal laws.
From Legislative Vote to Presidential Signature
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026 after a thorough debate. Following the assembly’s approval, the bill was sent to the President for constitutional assent, which was granted on 17 September 2026. The state now faces the task of drafting detailed rules and administrative procedures required for the code’s rollout.
