In a significant legislative development, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Assam the first Northeastern state and the third state in India to adopt a Uniform Civil Code framework.
The Bill was introduced during the inaugural session of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly and received approval on the final day of the session. Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora moved the Bill in the House on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a common civil framework governing matters such as marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance, and live-in relationships. However, Scheduled Tribes have been kept outside the scope of the law in order to preserve their constitutional protections and traditional customs.
Among its key provisions, the Bill mandates monogamy and prescribes a uniform minimum marriage age of 21 years for men and 18 years for women. At the same time, it allows marriages to continue being solemnised through existing religious ceremonies, customs, and traditional practices, thereby accommodating cultural diversity within a uniform legal structure.
Following the passage of the Bill, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that it would now be forwarded to the Governor of Assam and thereafter sent to the President of India for assent. He expressed confidence that the law would come into force shortly after receiving Presidential approval.
The Chief Minister described the enactment of the UCC as a historic step and noted that it fulfilled a major commitment made by the ruling alliance during the Assembly elections. He highlighted that the Bill’s passage during the very first session of the newly elected Assembly demonstrated the government’s determination to implement its electoral promises.
Reacting to the development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the people of Assam and termed the Bill’s passage a milestone in advancing the principle of equal laws for all citizens. He observed that Assam had joined Uttarakhand and Gujarat in adopting a Uniform Civil Code framework and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring equality before the law across the country.
The passage of the UCC Bill marks an important moment in Assam’s legislative history and is likely to contribute to the broader national discussion on implementing a common civil code while balancing constitutional protections for tribal communities and respect for cultural diversity.