Assam UCC Bill tabled: Proposing ban on polygamy and mandatory live-in relationship registration
The Assam government has tabled 'The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill' in the State Assembly, aiming to establish a common law for all residents on matters of marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships. Key provisions include a ban on bigamy and polygamy with imprisonment, standardised legal ages for marriage (21 for grooms, 18 for brides), mandatory registration of all marriages and divorces, uniform grounds for divorce, and gender-equal inheritance. The Bill also mandates registration of live-in relationships within a month, with penalties for non-compliance, and explicitly excludes Scheduled Tribes from its purview. Opposition parties have criticized the lack of consultation.
Key Points
- The Assam UCC Bill aims to establish a common law for marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships for all residents, excluding Scheduled Tribes.
- It proposes a ban on bigamy and polygamy, punishable by imprisonment, and standardizes legal ages for marriage.
- Mandatory registration of all marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships is a key provision, with penalties for non-registration.
- The Bill codifies uniform grounds for divorce and ensures gender-equal inheritance for Class-1 heirs.
- Opposition parties have raised concerns about the lack of consultation with stakeholders before tabling the Bill.
Exam Facts
- The Bill is titled 'The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill'.
- It proposes imprisonment up to seven years under Section 82 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for bigamy and polygamy.
- Standardized legal age: 21 for grooms, 18 for brides.
- Mandatory registration of live-in relationships within a month, with a fine up to ₹10,000 or imprisonment up to three months for non-compliance.
- Uttarakhand and Gujarat are other states that have passed similar laws.
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