NEW DELHI: The Assam assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. The Bill had been introduced in the House on Monday by the BJP-led state government, making Assam the first northeastern state and the third BJP-ruled state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to move ahead with such legislation.The Bill was passed amid uproar from the opposition which demand that the legislation be sent to select committee.The UCC was one of the BJP’s key promises ahead of the 2026 Assam assembly elections, and the state Cabinet approved the draft during its first meeting earlier this month. The legislation seeks to create a single civil legal framework for all residents of the state, covering issues such as marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships.Among its key provisions, the Bill proposes a ban on polygamy and makes the registration of marriages and live-in relationships mandatory. Under the draft law, marriages must be registered within 60 days of the ceremony, while couples in live-in relationships will have to register within 30 days.The Bill also lays down penalties for non-compliance, with deliberate failure to register a marriage or divorce within the stipulated period attracting a fine of Rs 10,000, according to the state government.
