New Delhi – On 17 September 2026, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code, clearing the last constitutional hurdle. With this endorsement, Gujarat becomes the second Indian state after Uttarakhand to have a UCC law ratified at the presidential level, paving the way for its implementation later this year.

Scope of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code

The new act consolidates personal‑law matters that were previously governed by religion‑specific statutes into one cohesive code. It prescribes a uniform set of conditions for entering into marriage, outlines a standardized procedure for divorce, and introduces a common framework for inheritance. A key provision prohibits remarriage while a spouse is alive, effectively eliminating polygamy.

For the first time in Gujarat, cohabiting couples are afforded statutory recognition. The code defines a live‑in relationship as a marriage‑like bond between a man and a woman who share a household, and it requires partners to submit a registration statement. It also delineates a clear mechanism for terminating such arrangements, bringing them under legal scrutiny.

Equal Inheritance Rights

Inheritance rules have been overhauled to ensure gender parity. Sons and daughters will now inherit on an equal basis, and all succession matters will be governed by the same set of regulations, eradicating the gender‑based inequities that existed under earlier personal laws.

Exemptions for Tribal Communities

The legislation expressly exempts Scheduled Tribes and a few other communities whose customary practices are protected by the Constitution. These groups will continue to be governed by their traditional personal‑law systems.

From Assembly Vote to Presidential Signature

The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026 after an extensive debate. Following the assembly’s approval, the bill was sent to the President for constitutional assent, which was granted on 17 September 2026. The state now must draft detailed rules and administrative procedures to operationalise the code.