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2 min readMay 25, 2026 12:57 PM IST
Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora, on Monday, tabled the Uniform Civil Code Bill, Assam, 2026, to regulate laws relating to marriage and divorce, succession, live-in relationships and connected matters before the Assembly, weeks after the third NDA government was formed in the state.
The Bill has been introduced on the third day of the first session of the newly elected Assam Legislative Assembly, a move which has drawn criticism from opposition parties Congress, Raijor Dal and Trinamool Congress, who have demanded wide consultations before the tabling of the Bill.
The statement of object and reasons of the bill, which will come up for discussion later in the week, states that the Bill seeks to set standard conditions for marriage such as a minimum age of marriage, 21 for men and 18 for women, and “prohibition of polygamy”.
“Importantly, it protects Assam’s cultural diversity by allowing marriages to be performed according to existing religious and customary rights,” it says.
It also states that the Bill makes the registration of all marriages and divorces compulsory, and that it creates a “legal framework of live-in relationships.”
“By requiring registration, the law ensures that the rights of partners – and any children born from such unions – are formally recognized and protected,” it states.
It also states that the Bill seeks to introduce “uniform rules for inheritance” with the stated aim of “ensuring that the transfer of assets is handled justly for all residents of the state.”
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The Bill states that the proposed legislation will extend to the whole of Assam and “applies to residents of Assam who reside outside the territories to which the code extends.” However, it states that it will not apply to members of any Scheduled Tribes.
The BJP’s election manifesto listed “implementation of the UCC” — excluding tribal communities and parts of the state protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution — as one of the party’s core promises.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
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