President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026 on Oct. 1, 2026, after the Assembly passed it earlier this year. The assent, listed on the Rashtrapati Bhavan website, clears the final hurdle for a uniform civil law that will govern marriage, divorce, succession and live‑in relationships across the state.
The Gujarat government has already notified the law as the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, and published it in the state gazette on Oct. 1. Yet the code will not take effect until the government issues a separate effective‑date notice. Until then, the bill remains in a liminal legal space, ready to reshape civil practice.
Under the new code, couples must submit a memorandum of marriage registration within 60 days of tying the knot, or face escalating fines that can reach ₹25,000 and, on repeated non‑compliance, imprisonment. The move standardises marriage procedures across religions, making the process uniform and transparent.
Live‑in relationships will now be officially recognised. Registration is compulsory, and children born from such unions gain legal legitimacy. Women abandoned by live‑in partners will receive maintenance rights, while false statements during registration can lead to a three‑month jail term.
Exemptions remain for Scheduled Tribes and communities whose customary practices fall under Part XXI of the Constitution, a nod to the diversity of Gujarat’s social fabric. The bill also repeals the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006, consolidating all marriage law under a single framework.
This assent is a tangible step toward Article 44’s Directive Principle, which urges every state to strive for a Uniform Civil Code. Analysts say the move could serve as a blueprint for other states, while community leaders emphasize the need for careful implementation to respect local customs.
The next milestone will be the state government’s announcement of the effective‑date notice. Until then, civil servants will prepare administrative machinery to enforce registration, penalties and new provisions for live‑in partners and children.