The Assam government introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 in the state assembly on Monday to unify personal laws across the region.
This legislative move represents a significant shift in the state's legal landscape by attempting to replace diverse religious and customary laws with a single framework. If passed, Assam would become the third state in India to enact such a code, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat [1].
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora presented the bill in the assembly in Guwahati [1]. The legislation focuses on standardizing laws regarding marriage, divorce, and succession [2]. Specifically, the bill seeks to ban the practice of polygamy and establish a legal requirement for the registration of live-in relationships [3].
The government intends to create a unified civil framework to ensure consistency in how personal matters are handled regardless of an individual's faith or community [3]. By consolidating these regulations, the state aims to streamline legal processes for marriage, and inheritance [2].
Legislators are scheduled to hold a debate on the bill this week. The assembly is expected to move toward a possible passage of the legislation on May 27, 2026 [2].
“Assam would become the third state to enact a Uniform Civil Code law”
The introduction of the UCC in Assam signals a growing trend among Indian states to challenge the traditional system of personal laws based on religious affiliation. By mandating the registration of live-in relationships and banning polygamy, the state is moving toward a secular legal standard that prioritizes state-administered civil law over community-specific customs.
