Assam passes UCC Bill 2026, becomes third state after Uttarakhand, Gujarat
Synopsis
Assam has become the third Indian state — and the first in the North-East — to pass the Uniform Civil Code, fulfilling a core BJP election promise within weeks of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The bill bans polygamy, mandates live-in registration, and awaits Presidential assent. Home Minister Amit Shah called it a step toward 'uniform law for every citizen' under PM Modi.
Key Takeaways
Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 on 27 May 2026 .
Assam is the third state to enact UCC after Uttarakhand and Gujarat , and the first in the North-East .
The law bans bigamy and polygamy and makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory .
Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and legislators who supported the bill.
The bill will be sent to the Governor of Assam and then to the President of India for final assent.
The UCC was a key BJP poll promise ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections .
Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 congratulated the people of Assam after the state legislature passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Assam the third state in India — and the first in the North-East — to enact the landmark legislation. The bill establishes a common civil legal framework for all residents on matters including marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, and live-in relationships.
Key Developments
The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government introduced the bill on Monday and secured its passage today, despite Opposition demands to refer it to a Select Committee. Assam follows Uttarakhand and Gujarat in enacting the UCC, a move that had been a central poll promise of the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The state cabinet had approved the UCC draft at its very first meeting earlier this month.
What the Law Changes
The UCC legislation will apply uniformly to all residents of Assam regardless of religion or community. Key provisions include a ban on bigamy and polygamy and a requirement for mandatory registration of live-in relationships. The law also harmonises rules on inheritance and succession, which previously varied across personal law frameworks.
What the Government Said
Posting on X, Home Minister Shah wrote: 'Congratulations to the people of Assam. The Uniform Civil Code has been the BJP's resolve since its foundation. Under PM Narendra Modi, BJP-led state governments are establishing uniform law for every citizen.' He also congratulated Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and all legislators who backed the bill.
Chief Minister Sarma described the passage as a 'historic' step, stating: 'Today, the Assam Legislative Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026. I express my gratitude to all members of the Assembly for adopting this historic legislation.'
What Happens Next
According to Chief Minister Sarma, the bill will first be sent to the Governor of Assam and subsequently forwarded to the President of India for final assent before it can come into force. The Opposition's push to send the bill to a Select Committee was overruled, signalling the government's intent to move swiftly on implementation.
With three BJP-governed states now having enacted the UCC, attention will turn to whether other BJP-ruled states follow suit — and whether the Centre moves toward a national UCC, long a flagship ideological commitment of the party.
Point of View
Passed Wednesday) and the overruling of a Select Committee referral suggest the government prioritised optics over deliberation. The real test will be implementation: Uttarakhand passed its UCC in 2024 but enforcement mechanisms remain contested. Whether Assam's version addresses those gaps — particularly on live-in registration, which raises civil liberties questions — will determine if this is durable reform or electoral theatre.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026?
The Assam UCC Bill, 2026 is a legislation passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly on 27 May 2026 that establishes a single civil legal framework for all residents of the state, covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, and live-in relationships. It also bans bigamy and polygamy and mandates registration of live-in relationships.
Which states have passed the Uniform Civil Code in India?
As of 27 May 2026, three states have passed the UCC: Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and now Assam. Assam is the first North-Eastern state to do so.
What happens after the Assam UCC Bill is passed?
The bill will be sent to the Governor of Assam and then forwarded to the President of India for final assent before it can come into force as law.
Why did the Opposition oppose the Assam UCC Bill?
The Opposition demanded that the bill be referred to a Select Committee for wider scrutiny, but the ruling BJP government overruled this and passed the legislation directly through the Assembly.
What did Home Minister Amit Shah say about the Assam UCC?
Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and all supporting legislators, stating on X that the UCC has been the BJP's resolve since its foundation and that BJP-led state governments are working to establish uniform law for every citizen under PM Narendra Modi.
