A Uniform Civil Code replaces religion-based personal laws with one common law for civil matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption. Gujarat is now the second state after Uttarakhand to adopt one, following the President’s assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026.

Here is what the code changes. Marriage registration becomes mandatory: couples must submit a memorandum within 60 days of marriage, with penalties for non-compliance. Polygamy is prohibited, and the minimum marriage age is set at 21 for men and 18 for women. Divorce will follow a common statutory structure instead of separate religious personal laws.

Live-in relationships get a legal framework for the first time. Registration of such relationships will be mandatory, and details must also be submitted when the relationship ends. Children born from registered live-in relationships will be recognised as legitimate, and a woman abandoned by her live-in partner gets maintenance rights.

Sons and daughters get equal inheritance rights. The law also recognises adopted children and children born through surrogacy or assisted reproductive technology. Members of Scheduled Tribes and communities protected under Part XXI of the Constitution are excluded. The code takes effect on a date the state government will notify separately.