Context
Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill to bring a common law for marriage, divorce and inheritance across religions, linked to Article 44 of the Constitution.
Key Provisions
• One common law for civil matters across religions
• Marriage registration compulsory (within 60 days)
• Uniform divorce process → court approval mandatory
• Equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters
• Women allowed remarriage
• Live-in relationships to be registered
Penalties
• Non-registration of marriage → fine
• Fraud/forced marriage, polygamy → punishment
• Unregistered live-in → fine or imprisonment
Exemption
• Scheduled Tribes kept outside the law (Article 366(25))
Debate
• Government → equality and uniformity
• Opposition → concerns on religious freedom
Where UCC exists
• Goa → already in force
• Uttarakhand → implemented
• Gujarat → Bill passed (not yet fully implemented)





