The Gujarat government has unveiled the Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, which includes mandatory registration of live-in relationships and equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted that these measures aim to enhance legal protection for women. The legislation mandates the registration of live-in relationships, with penalties for non-compliance, and ensures that parents are informed when individuals aged 18-21 register such relationships.
The bill imposes strict penalties for obtaining consent through force, intimidation, or fraud, with actions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for cases involving minors. It also addresses individuals entering live-in relationships while already married, providing maintenance for women in cases of abandonment and legal recognition for children born from such relationships. The government emphasizes that registration will help regulate these relationships and safeguard the rights of women and children.
The legislation also introduces a uniform framework governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance, requiring marriages to be registered within 60 days. Penalties are in place for failure to comply, and severe sentences for forced, coerced, or fraudulent marriages. The government asserts that compulsory registration will offer legal recognition, reducing fraudulent practices. Divorce under the law must be court-processed and registered, with invalidity for divorces outside the legal system, punishable by imprisonment.
The provisions further allow women to remarry without conditions after a legally recognized divorce, aiming to prevent fraudulent separations and misrepresentation of marital status. The bill establishes uniform maintenance provisions across religions and grants equal inheritance rights to sons and daughters, promoting gender equality and economic security for women. Chief Minister Patel emphasized that the legislation reflects a broader commitment to equality and unity, aligning with the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
