In short: President Droupadi Murmu has assented to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. This makes Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to have a UCC. The law will come into force only after the state government notifies its rules.
What has happened?
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Bill on 24 March, and it has now received the President's assent. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tabled it a week after a panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai submitted its report. According to Hindustan Times, Justice Desai had earlier headed the committee that drafted the Uttarakhand code.
Assent does not make the law operational on its own. The state government has to notify the rules first, and the law will apply from then. As of the reports we have seen, no date has been announced.
What is a Uniform Civil Code?
A UCC is a single set of personal laws on matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance. It applies to everyone in the state, whatever their religion. Until now, these matters have been governed differently across communities and religious sects.
What does the Gujarat law provide?
Based on the reports, the main provisions are these:
Who is covered, and who is not?
The law exempts the state's Scheduled Tribe population. An AAP MLA, Chatar Vasavane, has said it is unclear which laws will apply to tribal women who marry into other communities. The reports we have seen do not answer this, so the rules, once notified, will matter.
The political debate
The Chief Minister said the Bill was brought "for the sisters and daughters of Gujarat". He said it does not take away anyone's rights. He also noted that the Supreme Court had suggested a uniform code to secure women's rights.
The Congress staged a walkout, and both Congress and AAP had asked for the Bill to go to a select committee. Opposition members called the law anti-Muslim and alleged it was brought for political gain. The government rejected that charge.
Where do other states stand?
| State | Status, as reported |
|---|---|
| Uttarakhand | Has a comprehensive UCC |
| Gujarat | Assent received; rules awaited |
| Assam, Madhya Pradesh | Have passed UCC legislation, not yet implemented |
| Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan | Have set up drafting committees |
Goa is governed by the pre-independence Portuguese Civil Code of 1867. It was not enacted through a modern UCC framework.
What should residents do?
Nothing needs to be done yet. Once the rules are notified, residents covered by the law should watch for the effective date, the registration procedure and the timelines. This is especially relevant for those planning a marriage or divorce, or in a live-in relationship. Check the official notification and, if needed, consult a lawyer. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gujarat UCC in force now?
No. The President has given assent, but the law will come into force only after the state government notifies the rules.
Does the Gujarat UCC apply to Scheduled Tribes?
No. Hindustan Times reports that the legislation exempts the state's Scheduled Tribe population. An AAP MLA has said it is unclear which laws apply to tribal women who marry into other communities.
Sources
- Hindustan Times: Gujarat UCC Bill gets President Murmu’s assent, becomes 2nd state after Uttarakhand
- India Today: Gujarat becomes 2nd state to adopt UCC after President Droupadi Murmu's nod