The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill with a majority voice vote yesterday, following a marathon debate that lasted over seven hours. The bill seeks to establish a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, regardless of religion. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel introduced the bill, a week after a state-appointed panel submitted its final report on UCC implementation.

With this legislation, Gujarat becomes the second state in India, after Uttarakhand, to adopt the UCC. Uttarakhand had become the first state to pass a UCC Bill in February 2024.

Titled the “Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026,” the law will be applicable across the state and to residents of Gujarat living outside its territorial boundaries. However, the bill exempts Scheduled Tribes (ST) and certain groups whose customary rights are constitutionally protected.

The bill’s “Objects and Reasons” emphasize the creation of a uniform legal framework. Among its provisions, it mandates the registration of live-in relationships and formal procedures for their termination. It also prohibits bigamy, making it illegal for an individual to enter into a second marriage while their spouse is still alive. A marriage under the code will be valid only if neither party has a living spouse at the time of marriage.

While introducing the bill, CM Bhupendra Patel described it as a significant step toward a unified legal framework rooted in constitutional principles.