Gujarat Becomes Second State After Uttarakhand to Pass Uniform Civil Code Bill

The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, establishing a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, and succession.

Following Uttarakhand, Gujarat is the second state to implement the UCC, though it completely exempts Scheduled Tribes.

Key provisions include mandatory registration for marriages and live-in relationships, with non-compliance for the latter carrying up to three months of imprisonment. The Act also prohibits bigamy and prescribes seven years of jail for marriages conducted through coercion or fraud.

While the government hailed the Bill as a milestone for equality, Opposition members criticized it as a violation of fundamental rights and religious personal laws.