Assam Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill: A New Family Law for the State

Overview
Assam passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on 27 May 2026 by voice vote. It bans polygamy and makes marriage, divorce, and live-in registration compulsory. Scheduled Tribes are excluded. Assam is the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to pass such a law.

A Historic Day for Assam

On 27 May 2026, the Assam Assembly did something historic. It passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill. The Bill was passed by voice vote. This means members said “yes” or “no” aloud instead of pressing a button or writing on paper. The Bill was first introduced on 25 May 2026. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora moved the Bill on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Now Assam has a common set of laws for family matters.

What is a Uniform Civil Code?

A Uniform Civil Code, or UCC, is one common law for all citizens. It covers marriage, divorce, inheritance, and other family issues. Right now, different religions follow different personal laws. The UCC wants to replace those with one simple law for everyone. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution talks about the UCC. But Article 44 is a Directive Principle. That means it is a goal for the government. It is not enforceable in court. Assam has now turned that goal into a real law for its people.

Key Provisions of the Assam UCC Bill

The Assam Bill applies to all citizens of Assam. It does not matter which religion you follow. The Bill covers:

• Marriage  – Rules for getting married are the same for everyone.

• Divorce  – The process of ending a marriage is common for all.

• Succession  – This means inheritance. Who gets property after someone dies? The Bill gives one clear rule.

• Live-in relationships  – The Bill also covers unmarried couples living together.

The Bill  bans polygamy . Polygamy means having more than one wife or husband at the same time. After this law, no person in Assam can have multiple spouses.

The Bill makes  registration compulsory . You must register your marriage. You must register your divorce. And if you live in a live-in relationship, you must register within one month. Otherwise, there may be legal trouble.

Who is Excluded from This Law?

The Bill does not apply to  Scheduled Tribes  who live in Assam. Tribal communities have their own customs and traditions. The government decided to keep them outside the UCC. So tribal families will continue to follow their old practices.

What About Existing Polygamous Marriages?

The Bill has a  savings clause . This is a legal term that means “old cases are protected”. If a person already had more than one spouse before the UCC came into force, that marriage will remain valid. The new law will not break those old marriages. But after the law starts, no one can enter a new polygamous marriage.

Repealing an Older Law