Gujarat UCC Bill mandates registration of live-in relationships

This document is the text of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026 (Bill No. 17 of 2026), published in the Gujarat Government Gazette, which establishes a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships in the state. It matters to citizens as it defines the conditions for valid marriages, mandates registration of marriages and live-in relationships, and sets out rules for inheritance and maintenance.

Who it concerns: The document concerns residents of Gujarat (including those residing outside the state if they meet specific residency criteria), the Gujarat State Government, and the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. It explicitly excludes members of Scheduled Tribes and persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution of India.

What the document says

• The Bill is titled the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, and applies to the whole of the State of Gujarat and eligible residents outside the state.
• It does not apply to members of Scheduled Tribes or persons protected under Part XXI of the Constitution.
• Marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman, with minimum ages of 21 for men and 18 for women.
• Marriages must be registered if at least one party is a resident of Gujarat, whether solemnized after the Code's commencement or previously (with specific conditions for pre-2006 marriages).
• Live-in relationships are defined as a relationship between a man and a woman cohabiting in a shared household in a relationship in the nature of marriage.
• A 'statement of live-in relationship' must be jointly signed and submitted to the Registrar for registration.
• A 'statement of termination' must be signed by one or both partners and submitted to the Registrar to terminate a live-in relationship.
• Definitions include 'child' (biological, adopted, or via surrogacy/ART), 'estate' (movable/immovable, self-acquired/ancestral), and 'resident' (based on citizenship, employment, property ownership, or continuous residence of 10 years).
• Marriage ceremonies may follow customary practices, religious beliefs, or rites such as Saptapadi, Nikah, or Anand Karaj.

Also in the document

• The document is a Bill published in the Gazette with the consent of the Speaker under Rule 127A of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly Rules.
• The Bill states it shall come into force on a date appointed by the State Government via notification.
• The definition of 'resident' includes permanent employees of the State or Central Government working in Gujarat, beneficiaries of notified schemes, and those who have continuously resided in the state for the last ten years.
• The text provided is truncated and does not contain the full provisions on penalties for non-compliance, despite the title mentioning them.