In a major legislative move, the Assam government on Monday introduced ‘The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill’ in the state assembly, aiming to reform and streamline personal laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships. The Bill was tabled by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a common legal framework applicable across communities in the state, with the exception of Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam, who have been kept outside the purview of the law.
According to the ‘Statement of Objects and Reasons’ attached to the Bill, the legislation is intended to “consolidate and simplify laws governing marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships.” The move marks one of the most comprehensive attempts by a state government to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework at the state level.
One of the key provisions of the Bill is the prohibition of polygamy. The legislation mandates that a man can have only one wife at a time, thereby legally barring the practice of multiple marriages. The Bill also prescribes the minimum legal age for marriage as 21 years for men and 18 years for women.
Another significant feature of the Bill is the introduction of a legal framework for live-in relationships. For the first time in Assam, couples entering into live-in relationships would be required to officially register their union with the authorities. The government has argued that such registration would help safeguard the rights of partners and children born from such relationships.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in the Bill’s explanatory note, stated that the registration mechanism would ensure that live-in partners receive legal recognition and protection. He said the law is aimed at preventing exploitation and providing clarity regarding inheritance, maintenance, and social rights arising out of such relationships.
The Bill also addresses issues related to succession and divorce, with the objective of creating a uniform legal process irrespective of religious background. However, the exclusion of Scheduled Tribes from the ambit of the legislation reflects the government’s effort to protect traditional customs and constitutional safeguards enjoyed by tribal communities.
The introduction of the Bill is expected to trigger extensive debate both inside and outside the assembly. Supporters of the legislation have described it as a progressive reform promoting gender justice, equality, and legal clarity. Critics, however, may raise concerns over personal freedoms, religious autonomy, and the implementation of mandatory registration norms.
The Assam government has been vocal in recent years about bringing reforms in personal laws and social practices. The latest Bill is being viewed as part of a broader political and legal push towards introducing a Uniform Civil Code framework, a subject that has remained at the centre of national political discourse for years.
With the Bill now tabled in the assembly, discussions and deliberations are expected in the coming days before it is taken up for passage. If enacted, Assam would become one of the few states in the country to adopt a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code-style legislation governing multiple aspects of civil and family law.
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