The Assam government introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 in the state Assembly on Monday to establish a common civil legal framework [1].
This legislation seeks to standardize personal laws across different religions, moving the state toward a unified system for marriage, divorce, and inheritance. By removing disparate religious laws, the government aims to create a baseline of legal rights for all citizens regardless of faith.
Minister Atul Bora introduced the bill in the Assembly in Guwahati [1], [2]. The proposal includes a ban on polygamy and requires the compulsory registration of marriages and divorces [1], [3]. Additionally, the bill mandates the registration of live-in relationships [1], [3].
Scheduled Tribes are exempt from these requirements under the proposed law [3]. This exemption ensures that the distinct customary laws of tribal communities remain intact while the rest of the population moves toward the new code.
Bora said the UCC will ensure equality, and justice for women in Assam [2]. The bill also seeks to standardize the legal age of marriage across all communities to ensure consistency in the state's legal protections [2].
Assam is the third state in India to introduce such a UCC bill [1]. The move follows similar legislative efforts in Uttarakhand and Gujarat [4].
Pradyut Bordoloi said the UCC bill will have smooth sailing in Assembly [2].
“UCC will ensure equality, justice for women in Assam.”
The introduction of the UCC Bill 2026 in Assam reflects a broader legislative trend in India to replace faith-based personal laws with a secular, state-wide code. While the government frames this as a move toward gender equality and legal modernization, the specific exemption for Scheduled Tribes highlights the complexity of balancing national uniformity with the protection of indigenous customary rights.
