GANDHINAGAR. Gujarat has taken a landmark step towards a Uniform Civil Code — the state’s UCC Bill has now become law. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on 17 September 2026, and with the state government publishing the gazette notification on 1 October, the legislation stands formally enacted. Rules governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships will now be identical for every citizen of the state, irrespective of religion. After Uttarakhand, Gujarat is the second state in the country to bring such a framework into force.
The state Assembly had cleared the Bill in March this year. The law’s ambit covers marriage, divorce, partition of property and live-in relationships — no separate rules remain for any religion or community.
What changes on the ground
Once enforced, the new law will bring the following key changes to marriage and allied legal matters:
- Registration of marriage becomes mandatory — it must be completed within a prescribed time limit.
- Live-in relationships will also have to be registered through a defined procedure.
- Daughters will enjoy rights equal to sons in succession and property matters.
- The rule of monogamy will apply — a second marriage during the lifetime of a spouse will remain prohibited.
- In cases of death without a will, the rights of the spouse, children and parents will be clearly laid down in law.
- Children born through surrogacy and adoption, as well as children born of live-in relationships, will receive legal protection of their rights.
The road so far
The journey began in October 2022, when the state government announced a high-level committee for the UCC. An expert committee was constituted in February 2024 and submitted its report in March 2026; the Assembly passed the Bill the same month. The President granted assent on 17 September 2026, and the gazette notification followed on 1 October.
Date of enforcement to be notified separately
The law provides that the formal date from which it comes into force will be notified separately by the state government in the gazette. In other words, the final date of implementation will be announced by the government after the assent and notification.
