{"id":400586,"date":"2026-11-05T10:00:39","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T04:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=400586"},"modified":"2026-11-05T10:09:12","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T04:39:12","slug":"gujarat-uniform-civil-code-2026-marriage-succession-live-in-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/11\/05\/gujarat-uniform-civil-code-2026-marriage-succession-live-in-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026: Gujarat introduces uniform framework for marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 1 October 2026, the Government of Gujarat notified the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026<\/span>, a comprehensive family law legislation governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, succession, wills, probate, and live-in relationships.<\/p>\n

The Code received Presidential assent on 17 September 2026.<\/p>\n

The Code seeks to establish a common civil framework across communities covered by the legislation while preserving constitutional exclusions relating to Scheduled Tribes and certain protected customary groups. It introduces mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships, provides a uniform succession framework, and standardises matrimonial remedies and inheritance rights.<\/p>\n

The Code extends to the whole of Gujarat and also applies in specified circumstances to residents of Gujarat living outside the State. The legislation excludes Scheduled Tribes recognised under Articles 366(25)<\/a> and 342<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a> and persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Act requires registration of marriages covered by the Code within the prescribed timeframe and establishes a registration framework for live-in relationships. Various compliance obligations and penalties are linked to these registration requirements.<\/p>\n

Before the enactment of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, family law matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession were governed by various personal laws applicable to different communities. The objective of the legislation is to bring uniformity to important civil law matters while allowing individuals to continue following their own religious and customary marriage ceremonies. The Code focuses on creating common legal consequences and procedures rather than imposing a uniform religious practice.<\/p>\n

The following are the key provisions:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    The Gujarat Uniform Civil Code comprises 398 Sections and 7 Schedules regulating laws relating to marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships and connected matters<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Section 2 of the Code defines key terms such as “child”, “custom and usage”, “degree of prohibited relationship”, “estate” and “minor”, and also clarifies concepts including “full blood”, “half blood” and “uterine blood” for the purposes of succession and family-related provisions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Section 4 prescribes common conditions for a valid marriage, that can be:<\/p>\n