The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill that will impose mandatory registration requirements on live-in couples — backed by imprisonment and fines for non-compliance. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav confirmed the bill will be tabled in the upcoming Assembly session, marking one of the most sweeping attempts by any Indian state to formalise cohabitation under statute.

Key Provisions and Penalties

Under the new law, couples must register their live-in relationship with the designated Registrar within one month of beginning cohabitation. Failure to do so can attract imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of ₹10,000.

The penalties escalate for false declarations. Couples who furnish incorrect information at the time of registration face up to three months in jail and a fine of ₹25,000. Those who ignore official notices from the Registrar and fail to submit required statements could face up to six months of imprisonment and a fine of ₹25,000.

Eligibility Criteria and Oversight

The legislation sets clear eligibility thresholds. Both partners must be at least 18 years old, must not be closely related, and must not be previously married. Notably, if either partner is under 21 years of age, details of the relationship — including its commencement and termination — will be shared with their parents or guardians.

The Registrar is further required to forward records of all registered live-in couples to the local police station, establishing a formal layer of official oversight over private cohabitation arrangements.

Rights of Women and Children

The bill includes significant protective provisions. Children born during a live-in relationship will be recognised as legitimate and entitled to full inheritance rights, removing prior legal ambiguity about their status.

Women have been granted specific safeguards: if a male partner abandons his female partner, she may seek maintenance through a competent court — a right comparable to that of a legally wedded wife. Legal experts note that these provisions could offer meaningful recourse to women in informal partnerships who previously had limited legal standing.

Privacy Concerns and Criticism

Critics argue that mandatory registration and the requirement to notify parents or guardians for partners under 21 constitute an intrusion into private life. Legal observers suggest the provisions will likely face scrutiny on grounds of privacy and personal freedom, potentially inviting constitutional challenges. This comes amid an ongoing national debate over the Centre's own UCC framework, making Madhya Pradesh's move a significant test case for state-level implementation.

What Happens Next

The bill is expected to be tabled in the next Madhya Pradesh Assembly session. Once enacted, it will represent a landmark shift in how live-in relationships are legally treated in the state — balancing social accountability with formal recognition, while placing the compliance burden squarely on couples themselves.