The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 by voice vote after a heated debate between the ruling NDA and the Opposition, making Assam the third state in India after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to adopt a UCC framework.
The legislation seeks to establish a common civil framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, and live-in relationships across communities, replacing religion-specific personal laws in several areas. Key provisions of the Bill include a ban on polygamy and mandatory registration of live-in relationships and marriages.
Introducing the Bill in the Assembly earlier this week, the BJP-led government described the move as a step toward ensuring equality and uniformity before the law. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the legislation “the most secular, uniform and progressive law,” arguing that it would especially strengthen protections for women across communities.
The Opposition, however, strongly objected to the Bill during the Assembly debate, with several parties arguing that such a law was unnecessary and could interfere with religious and cultural practices. Despite protests inside the House, the Bill was eventually cleared through a voice vote.
According to the proposed framework, registration of live-in relationships will become compulsory, while legal recognition of multiple marriages will be discontinued. The government has maintained that the law aims to create a uniform legal structure applicable to all citizens irrespective of religion.
With the Assembly’s approval secured, the Bill will now be sent to the Governor and subsequently to the President of India for assent before it can formally come into force in the state.
