New Delhi – After President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on 17 September 2026, Gujarat has cleared the last constitutional obstacle for its Uniform Civil Code. Having already cleared the state legislature earlier this year, the bill now proceeds to the implementation stage, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to obtain presidential sanction for a UCC statute.

Scope of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code

The new act consolidates personal‑law matters that were previously regulated by religion‑based statutes into a single legal regime. It standardises marriage eligibility, prescribes a uniform divorce process, and sets common inheritance rules. Notably, the code prohibits a person from entering a new marriage while a spouse is alive, thereby outlawing polygamy.

For the first time in the state, cohabiting couples receive a statutory definition and a registration procedure. Partners must submit a declaration to register their relationship, and the code outlines a clear mechanism for its dissolution. The definition characterises a live‑in partnership as a marriage‑like bond between a man and a woman sharing a household.

Equalisation of Succession Rights

Inheritance provisions have been overhauled to ensure sons and daughters enjoy identical rights. Property and succession issues will now be dealt with under a uniform set of rules, eradicating gender‑based discrepancies that existed under earlier personal laws.

Tribal Communities Remain Exempt

The legislation explicitly excludes Scheduled Tribes and certain other groups whose customary practices are protected by the Constitution. These communities will continue to be governed by their traditional personal laws.

From Legislative Passage to Presidential Signature

The Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026 after a protracted debate. The bill was subsequently sent to the President for constitutional assent, which was granted on 17 September 2026. The state now faces the task of formulating detailed rules and administrative procedures needed for the code’s rollout.