Gujarat Assembly passes Uniform Civil Code Bill, second state after Uttarakhand
On 24 March 2026 the Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill by majority voice vote after a debate of over seven hours, becoming the second state after Uttarakhand to pass a UCC Bill.
Summary
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 24 March 2026 passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, which provides a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships irrespective of religion. Tabled by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel after a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai submitted its report, it was passed by majority voice vote after a debate of more than seven hours, while the Congress walked out demanding it be sent to a select committee. Gujarat is the second state after Uttarakhand to pass a UCC Bill. The Bill makes registration of marriages and live-in relationships mandatory, prescribes up to 7 years' jail for bigamy and for marriages through force, coercion or fraud, and exempts the Scheduled Tribe population.
Key facts
- Passed
- 24 March 2026, Gujarat Assembly, majority voice vote
- Rank
- Second state after Uttarakhand (Feb 2024) to pass a UCC Bill
- Covers
- Marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships – irrespective of religion
- Basis
- Report of committee headed by Justice (retd.) Ranjana Desai
- Key provisions
- Mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships; up to 7 years' jail for bigamy or forced/fraudulent marriage
- Exemption
- Scheduled Tribes
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In March 2026, which state became the second after Uttarakhand to pass a Uniform Civil Code Bill?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026. Uttarakhand was the first, in February 2024.
The Gujarat UCC Bill (2026) was brought after the report of an expert committee headed by:
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Correct answer: D — Justice Ranjana Desai
The committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai submitted its report before the Bill was tabled by CM Bhupendra Patel.
Consider the following about the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill passed in March 2026: 1. It makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory. 2. It applies to all residents of Gujarat, including the Scheduled Tribe population. 3. Bigamy is punishable with imprisonment of up to 7 years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
The Bill exempts the Scheduled Tribe population, so statement 2 is wrong; it mandates registration of live-in relationships and prescribes up to 7 years' jail for bigamy.