President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026, allowing for its forthcoming implementation, as reported by sources within the state government to The Indian Express on Friday. An official remarked, “It is now up to the government to determine when it will be put into effect.”

The legislation was officially released in an extraordinary gazette on October 1, indicating that the President granted her approval on September 17. The Gujarat Assembly had passed the Bill during the budget session in March, following an extensive debate lasting nearly eight hours, and secured a majority vote.

Drawing inspiration from Uttarakhand’s UCC, the proposed law aims to manage personal civil issues for residents of Gujarat, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and related matters such as live-in relationships.

The initiative for this legislation emerged after a committee led by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai presented a report assessing its feasibility within the state. This new law is set to recognize live-in relationships and introduce several modifications to existing laws regarding inheritance, marriage, and divorce. However, it will not be applicable to individuals belonging to Scheduled Tribes or those whose customary rights are safeguarded under Part XXI of the Constitution.

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