Gujarat tables UCC bill, makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory

The Gujarat government introduced the 2026 Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill in the state Assembly on Wednesday, The Indian Express reported.

If passed, Gujarat would become the second Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state to move towards implementing a common personal law framework, after Uttarakhand enacted a Uniform Civil Code in 2025.

On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi tabled the bill, which proposes a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships and related matters for all residents, irrespective of religion, the Hindustan Times reported.

The Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption for all citizens. Currently, such personal affairs of different religious and tribal groups are based on community-specific laws, largely derived from religious scripture.

The Gujarat bill is based on recommendations of a committee chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, whose report was submitted to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday.

Patel said that the report was based on “detailed study, public consultations and visits across districts”, and claimed that the recommendations prioritise equal rights and the protection of women.

“The geographical and cultural diversity of Gujarat has also been kept in mind,” he added.

The proposed legislation will extend to the entire state and apply to residents living elsewhere in India or abroad, but will not apply to members of Scheduled...

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