What Happened
- Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tabled the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, a day after a state-appointed expert panel submitted its final implementation report.
- The Bill was introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
- The Bill proposes a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships applicable to all citizens of Gujarat irrespective of religion.
- If passed, Gujarat will become the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a modern UCC law.
- The Bill mandates compulsory registration of marriages (non-registration does not invalidate marriages but invites penalties for non-compliance or false information).
- The Bill prohibits polygamy and sets the minimum marriage age at 21 years for men and 18 years for women across all communities.
- All divorces must be processed through the court system; grounds include cruelty, desertion, and mental illness.
- Live-in relationships must be registered with the district registrar; any child born from a registered live-in union will be deemed legitimate, and a woman deserted in such a union can seek maintenance.
- The Bill exempts Scheduled Tribes and groups whose customary rights are constitutionally protected.
Static Topic Bridges
Article 44 — Directive Principle for Uniform Civil Code
Article 44 of the Constitution of India, under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), states: "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India." As a Directive Principle, Article 44 is not enforceable by any court (Article 37), but is "fundamental in the governance of the country" and a guiding principle for legislation. The inclusion of the UCC in Part IV rather than Part III reflects the framers' acknowledgment that a uniform code could not be immediately implemented given India's religious diversity — it was envisioned as an eventual aspiration. The Supreme Court in Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India (1995) and Shah Bano Begum v. Mohammed Ahmed Khan (1985) directed Parliament to consider enacting a UCC, arguing that personal laws governing different religions create inequality particularly for women.
- Article 44: Part IV (DPSP), not justiciable but fundamental to governance
- Article 37: DPSP "shall not be enforceable by any court" but are fundamental to governance
- Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India (1995): SC highlighted conflicts between personal laws and constitutional principles; recommended UCC
- Shah Bano case (1985): SC awarded maintenance to Muslim divorced woman under Section 125 CrPC; led to political controversy on UCC
- Article 246 read with Entry 5 of List III (Concurrent List): "Marriage and divorce; infants and minors; adoption" — States can legislate on personal law with Presidential assent
Connection to this news: The Gujarat UCC Bill directly operationalises Article 44 at the state level. Since personal law (Entry 5, List III) is in the Concurrent List, a State Bill requires the Governor's assent and Presidential assent under Article 254 if it is repugnant to central personal law statutes.
Goa's Portuguese Civil Code — India's Only Existing UCC
Goa has had a de facto Uniform Civil Code since colonial times, retained after its integration into India in 1961. The Goa Civil Code stems from the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867 and applies to all residents of Goa regardless of religion, caste, or gender. It governs marriage (monogamy mandatory for all), divorce, succession, and inheritance. The Goa Civil Code is often cited as a model for a national UCC and demonstrates that a secular civil law framework is constitutionally and practically feasible. Notably, Goa was not covered by the Hindu Code Bills of the 1950s–60s because it was then a Portuguese territory.
- Basis: Portuguese Civil Code of 1867, retained via The Goa, Daman and Diu (Administration) Act, 1962
- Coverage: All Goa residents — Hindu, Muslim, Christian, others
- Prohibition: Polygamy prohibited for all communities (unlike the rest of India where it was permitted for Muslims)
- Succession: Equal inheritance rights between male and female children
- Unique provision: Pre-nuptial registration of assets (communion of assets) for married couples
Connection to this news: Goa's functioning UCC provides the constitutional and practical precedent that Gujarat is citing as justification for its own Bill — demonstrating that a state-level UCC can coexist with the Constitution and personal laws.
Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024 — The Direct Precedent
The Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act, 2024, was enacted by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly and signed into law, making Uttarakhand the first state in modern India to legislate a comprehensive UCC. The rules were notified in January 2025. Like the Gujarat Bill, it covers marriage (minimum age, monogamy), divorce (court-based), succession, live-in relationships (mandatory registration with district registrar), and adoption. It also prohibits nikah halala, iddat, and triple talaq within Uttarakhand. The Act exempts Scheduled Tribe communities.
- Enacted: Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act, 2024
- Rules notified: January 2025
- Coverage: All residents of Uttarakhand except Scheduled Tribes
- Live-in registration: Mandatory, with legal consequences including maintenance rights for deserted partners
- Prohibition: Polygamy, nikah halala, iddat for all communities in the state
- Article 254: State laws in Concurrent List that conflict with central law need Presidential assent to prevail
Connection to this news: Gujarat's Bill is closely modelled on the Uttarakhand UCC. If enacted, Gujarat (population ~70 million) will be a far larger testing ground for a state-level UCC than Uttarakhand (~11 million).
Key Facts & Data
- Bill introduced: Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, tabled March 24, 2026
- Introduced by: Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi (on behalf of CM Bhupendra Patel)
- States with UCC: Goa (historical, since 1867 Portuguese code); Uttarakhand (2024 Act, rules 2025)
- Minimum marriage age under the Bill: 21 years (men), 18 years (women) — uniform across all religions
- Prohibition: Polygamy for all communities; marriages must be monogamous
- Live-in registration: Mandatory with district registrar; child of union = legitimate; desertion → maintenance
- Exempted: Scheduled Tribes (protected under Articles 244/371 and Fifth Schedule)
- Personal law is in Entry 5 of the Concurrent List (List III, Seventh Schedule)
- Constitutional basis: Article 44 (DPSP) and Article 246 with Entry 5, List III