Tabled on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the proposed UCC legislation focuses on marriage age, polygamy, inheritance rights and regulation of live-in relationships.
BY PC Bureau
May 25, 2026: The Assam government on Monday formally introduced the Uniform Civil Code (Assam) Bill, 2026 in the state Legislative Assembly, marking a major step toward creating a common civil framework for non-tribal residents of the state. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora tabled the bill on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the ongoing budget session of the Assembly.
The proposed legislation is expected to be taken up for detailed discussion and likely passage on May 27, toward the concluding phase of the Assembly session being held from May 21 to May 26.
The move comes days after the newly re-elected BJP-led government approved the draft bill during its first Cabinet meeting on May 13, shortly after Sarma began his second consecutive term as Chief Minister. The Cabinet meeting was held at the No. 1 State Guest House in Koinadhara, Guwahati, where the government cleared the proposal and announced its intention to introduce the legislation in the current session.
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If enacted, Assam would join Uttarakhand and Gujarat among the few Indian states to move toward implementing a version of the Uniform Civil Code, a subject linked to Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which calls upon the state to strive for a uniform civil code for citizens.
According to the government, the Assam model is a limited and customised framework rather than a sweeping replacement of all personal laws. The bill focuses primarily on four key areas — fixing a minimum age for marriage, prohibiting polygamy, ensuring equal inheritance rights for daughters, and regulating live-in relationships through legal safeguards and registration provisions.
The proposed law also builds upon earlier measures initiated by the Assam government, including the 2025 legislation aimed at prohibiting polygamy.
The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code 2026 Bill in the Assam Vidhan Sabha paves the way for an on record discussion on why #UCCAssam is the need of the hour and how it will help realise the path laid down by our founding fathers. https://t.co/vRurZ65qBA
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 25, 2026
Officials have clarified that the bill will not apply to Scheduled Tribes, including both Hills and Plains tribal communities, in view of their distinct customary and cultural practices. Tribal groups constitute nearly 12.45 per cent of Assam’s population. The government has also maintained that traditional religious customs, rituals and practices of different communities will remain unaffected.
The introduction of the bill has triggered political debate both within Assam and nationally. Supporters of the legislation have described it as a progressive reform intended to strengthen women’s rights, promote gender equality and curb exploitative social practices while preserving cultural diversity.
Opposition parties and several civil society groups, however, have demanded broader public consultation before the legislation is passed. The state government has defended the proposal, saying the bill has been specifically tailored to Assam’s socio-cultural realities while safeguarding tribal autonomy and religious traditions.
With discussions on the bill expected in the coming days, the legislation is likely to witness intense debate inside the Assembly as well as across the country. Further details are expected to emerge once the full text of the bill is debated during the session.
