New Delhi – On 17 September 2026, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code, clearing the last constitutional hurdle. With the President’s signature, Gujarat joins Uttarakhand as the only state whose UCC has been ratified at the national level, setting the stage for implementation later this year.

Key Provisions of Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code

The act replaces religion‑specific personal statutes with a unified set of rules governing private matters. It standardises the age, consent and registration requirements for marriage, introduces a single, streamlined procedure for obtaining a divorce, and aligns inheritance rules under one common code. Notably, the code criminalises remarriage while a spouse is alive, thereby eliminating polygamous unions.

Statutory Definition and Regulation of Live‑in Relationships

For the first time, Gujarat will legally recognise cohabiting couples. The code defines a live‑in relationship as a marriage‑like association between a man and a woman who share a household, and mandates registration through a formal statement. It also outlines a clear, procedural pathway for dissolving such arrangements, granting partners legal protection and clarity.

Gender‑Neutral Succession Rules

Inheritance clauses have been overhauled to ensure that sons and daughters inherit on an equal footing. Property distribution and succession will now be adjudicated using a single, gender‑neutral framework, erasing the historic biases embedded in earlier personal laws.

Exemptions for Scheduled Tribes and Other Customary Communities

The legislation expressly preserves the autonomy of Scheduled Tribes and certain other groups whose traditional practices are constitutionally protected. These communities will continue to be governed by their own personal laws, untouched by the new code.

From Legislative Debate to Presidential Signature

The Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026 after a rigorous discussion. Following the assembly’s approval, the bill was sent to the President for constitutional assent, which was granted on 17 September 2026. The state now must draft detailed regulations and administrative guidelines to operationalise the code across the region.