President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, clearing the constitutional hurdle for the state to implement a common framework for marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan records, the President granted assent on September 17. The Gujarat government published the law in the state gazette on October 1 as the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, or Gujarat Act No. 15 of 2026. It will come into force on a date to be notified separately by the state government.

With this, Gujarat becomes the second state after Uttarakhand to legislate a Uniform Civil Code. Uttarakhand’s UCC came into force in January 2025.

The code introduces common rules irrespective of religion. It prohibits polygamy, mandates marriage registration within 60 days, and makes registration of live-in relationships compulsory. Children born from registered live-in relationships will be recognised as legitimate, and abandoned partners get maintenance rights.

Members of Scheduled Tribes and communities whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution are excluded. The BJP hailed the assent as a step towards equality, while the Congress called for wider consultation.