President Murmu gives assent to Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, state becomes second after Uttarakhand to enact UCC

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, clearing the final constitutional hurdle for the law. Gujarat is now the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a UCC.

The President gave her assent on September 17, according to the Gujarat Government Gazette Extraordinary published on October 1. The law has been notified as Gujarat Act No. 15 of 2026. It will come into force on a date to be appointed by the state government through a notification in the Gazette.

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The Bill was passed by the Gujarat Assembly on March 24 after a debate of over seven hours. It was drafted on the basis of a report by a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai.

What the law provides

The Act governs marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships and related matters for all residents, irrespective of religion. It extends to the whole of Gujarat and also applies to residents of the state who live outside its territory.

Scheduled Tribes and groups whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution are exempt.

All marriages must be registered within 60 days. Non-registration can attract a fine of up to ₹10,000. The code prohibits bigamy, and sons and daughters get equal inheritance rights across religions. Live-in relationships must be registered, and the Act lays down a process to end them.

How the Gujarat code came about

The Gujarat government had approved a committee in 2022 to examine the need and feasibility of a UCC in the state. The state later constituted a five-member panel under Justice Desai to prepare the draft. The panel was asked to submit its report to the government within 45 days.

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Uttarakhand was the first

Uttarakhand was the first state to bring in a UCC after Independence. Its UCC Act, 2024 applies to all residents of the state irrespective of religion. It bans polygamy and child marriage, and exempts Scheduled Tribes. The code came into force in the state in January 2025.