2 weeks ago
Rajasthan Cabinet approves UCC Bill 2026 with polygamy ban
An Indian state called Rajasthan has made a new set of family rules called the Uniform Civil Code, or UCC.
The rules are about getting married, getting divorced, dividing property and adopting children.
Today, different religions in India follow different rules for these things, and the UCC wants one common set for everyone.
The new rules say a man cannot have more than one wife at a time.
Couples must register their marriage with the government within 60 days.
If they register late, the marriage is still official, but they may have to pay a fine.
People who live together without getting married must also register or give written notice.
People who work for the government must show a marriage certificate at their job.
The rules will not apply to tribal communities, and Rajasthan is the fifth state in the country to make this rulebook.
The Rajasthan Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 on 13 August.
The Bill proposes a ban on polygamy and a common set of laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, replacing separate religious personal laws.
Marriage registration will be mandatory within 60 days, with fines of up to ₹10,000, rising to ₹25,000 for non-registration even after a notice.
The Bill also requires registration or written intimation of the commencement and termination of live-in relationships.
The law will not apply to Scheduled Tribes; Rajasthan is the fifth state after Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam to bring a UCC Bill.
- Who
- Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's Rajasthan Cabinet; the decision was announced by Law Minister Jogaram Patel.
- What
- Approved the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, which bans polygamy and mandates registration of marriages and live-in relationships.
- Where
- Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
- When
- On 13 August; the Bill will be introduced in the Assembly's monsoon session beginning 20 August.
- Why
- To establish one common set of laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption for all citizens, replacing separate religious personal laws.
Opposition Parties
Bharatiya Janata Party
Uniform Civil Code legislation
Opposition Parties
Opposition parties have protested UCC legislation in Gujarat and demanded that Assam's UCC bill be sent to a select committee for scrutiny.
Bharatiya Janata Party
BJP says a common personal law has long been on its agenda, and party-ruled states, now including Rajasthan, are advancing UCC implementation.
Key facts
- Bill
- Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026
- Key proposals
- Ban on polygamy; mandatory marriage registration within 60 days
- Fines
- Up to ₹10,000 for non-registration; up to ₹25,000 if still unregistered after notice; up to ₹25,000 for Registrars who delay
- Live-in relationships
- Registration or written intimation required for commencement and termination
- Exemption
- Not applicable to Scheduled Tribes with constitutionally protected customary rights
- Next step
- To be introduced in the Assembly's monsoon session beginning 20 August
- Drafting panel
- Committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai
- State ranking
- Fifth state, after Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam
Quotes
Jogaram Patel
Parliamentary Affairs Minister
“Clear provisions have been made for the court to declare a marriage void based on reasons including violation of the Code, forced or fraudulent consent, or impotence.”
livemint.com
“Government employees will also be required to submit a marriage registration certificate in their service documents.”
theprint.in
Sources
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