Assam passes Uniform Civil Code bill amid Opposition protests

Guwahati: Amid protests from Opposition parties, Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026.

With the passage of the Bill, Assam became the third state in the country after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to enact a Uniform Civil Code law. Goa already follows a common civil law system inherited from the Portuguese colonial period.

During the proceedings, legislators from Congress and other Opposition parties entered the Well of the House and shouted slogans.


The Speaker then put the Bill to voice vote amid loud chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Shree Ram" from members of the treasury benches.

Introduction of UCC was one of the key promises made by BJP in its election manifesto in 2026.

Also Read: Government will work to make Assam Rs 10 lakh crore economy by 2028: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

The legislation safeguards cultural diversity by granting full freedom of holding rituals, allowing marriages to be solemnised through any existing religious ceremony or custom, including Vedic Vivah, Ahom Chaklong, Saptapadi, Ashirvad, Nikah, Holy Union and Anand Karaj.

To prevent fraud, statewide registration is now going to be compulsory for all marriages and divorces. Couples must deliver a marriage memorandum to the sub-registrar within 60 days of the ceremony.

The Bill codifies uniform grounds for divorce such as cruelty, desertion or mutual consent and ensures that early custody of children under five years ordinarily remains with the mother.

Also Read: Assam to move ahead with UCC as Himanta defends reform push, targets Rs 10 lakh crore economy by 2028

In terms of succession, the Bill creates a uniform, gender-equal order of preference for interstate inheritance among Class-1 heirs, which equitably includes the spouse, children and parents of the deceased.

For testamentary succession, any adult of sound mind is granted the legal right to execute a written, witnessed Will.

The Bill introduces regulations for live-in relationships by making their registration mandatory within a month. It protects vulnerable individuals by declaring that any child born out of a live-in relationship is fully legitimate, and by granting a deserted live-in partner the legal standing to claim financial maintenance through courts.