The Assam government on Monday tabled the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 in the state assembly, becoming the third BJP-ruled state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to move ahead with such legislation.
The bill was introduced by Assam minister Atul Bora during the ongoing assembly session, with discussion and voting expected on Tuesday.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a common legal framework for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and succession across communities.
Himanta Government Pushes Key BJP Promise
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier announced that the UCC was part of the BJP’s key promises ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
The Assam Cabinet approved the draft legislation on May 13 during its first meeting after the elections.
The move is being viewed as another major ideological push by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has long advocated a nationwide Uniform Civil Code under Article 44 of the Constitution.
Tribals to Remain Outside UCC Purview
One of the biggest announcements linked to the bill is the exclusion of tribal communities.
Sarma clarified that tribal groups living in both hill and plain regions of Assam would remain outside the ambit of the proposed law, similar to provisions adopted in Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
“All religious rituals, customs and traditions will remain protected,” Sarma had said earlier.
According to the 2011 Census, tribal communities account for around 12.45% of Assam’s population, while Muslims make up over 34%.
What the Assam UCC Bill Proposes
The proposed law is expected to bring major reforms in personal laws and family-related matters across communities.
According to the Assam government, the bill aims to:
- Set a uniform minimum age for marriage
- Protect women’s rights in family property
- Abolish polygamy
- Recognise live-in relationships
- Make marriage and divorce registration compulsory
The government says these measures are intended to ensure gender justice and legal uniformity.
UCC Remains a National Political Debate
The Uniform Civil Code has remained one of the most debated political and constitutional issues in India.
Supporters argue that a UCC promotes equality and simplifies legal systems, while critics believe it may interfere with religious and cultural freedoms.
The BJP has consistently supported the idea and considers it one of its core ideological commitments. The party has already fulfilled two major long-standing promises since coming to power at the Centre in 2014 — the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Assam Joins Growing List of States
With Assam introducing the bill, pressure may increase on other BJP-governed states to follow a similar path.
Madhya Pradesh has already formed a committee to draft its own UCC framework, while Goa continues to operate under the Goa Civil Code, a uniform personal law system dating back to Portuguese rule.
The Assam Assembly is expected to witness intense debate over the legislation before voting takes place later this week.
