The Assam Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code, Assam, Bill, 2026, on May 26, 2026 [1].
This legislative move represents a significant shift in the state's legal framework by attempting to standardize personal laws across different religious communities. The bill fulfills a key pledge by the BJP-led government to implement a uniform legal system for marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the legislation is the "most secular, uniform and progressive law" [2]. He said that the passage of the bill is a historic milestone for the region. Sarma said, "Today I am very happy to inform you that the Assam assembly has adopted the Uniform Civil Code 2026" [3].
Assam is now the third Indian state to pass such a bill, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat [2]. The law aims to replace fragmented personal laws with a single set of rules applicable to all citizens, regardless of their faith.
Despite the push for uniformity, the government has carved out specific exceptions to maintain social stability. Sarma said the "tribal population will be kept outside its purview" [4]. This exclusion ensures that the customary laws and traditional practices of Assam's indigenous tribal communities remain intact and are not superseded by the new code [4].
The bill was tabled in the assembly on May 26, 2026, following approval from the state cabinet [1]. The government maintains that the UCC will promote gender equality and streamline judicial processes by removing contradictions between different personal laws [2].
“"most secular, uniform and progressive law"”
The adoption of the UCC in Assam signals a growing trend among BJP-led states to implement a common civil framework, challenging the long-standing tradition of faith-based personal laws in India. By excluding tribal populations, the government is attempting to balance the goal of national uniformity with the need to protect indigenous rights and avoid ethnic unrest in a diverse border state.
