The Assam government introduced a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill on Monday that makes the registration of live-in relationships compulsory [1].
The legislation represents a significant shift in personal law, aiming to replace diverse religious and customary practices with a single set of rules for all citizens. By standardizing marriage, divorce, and inheritance, the state seeks to eliminate legal disparities based on faith or community [3].
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the introduction of the bill during the 16th session of the Assam Legislative Assembly [3]. Under the proposed rules, couples in a live-in relationship must register their partnership within one month [1].
Beyond the registration of non-marital unions, the bill seeks to ban polygamy entirely [1]. The government said the goal is to create a uniform set of personal laws across the state to ensure legal consistency [3].
Assam is the third BJP-ruled state to introduce such Uniform Civil Code legislation [1]. The bill is slated for discussion and voting this coming Tuesday [2].
The move to mandate registration for live-in couples is one of the most debated aspects of the bill. Proponents argue it provides legal recognition and protection, while critics often raise concerns regarding privacy and state surveillance into personal lives.
“Couples in a live-in relationship must register their partnership within one month”
The introduction of the UCC in Assam signals a broader political push by the BJP to implement a national standard for personal laws, moving away from the pluralistic legal framework where different religions govern their own family matters. The specific requirement for live-in registration is a novel legal mechanism that increases state oversight of domestic arrangements, potentially altering the legal status of cohabiting couples in India.
