CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 25, 2026
Gujarat Assembly Passes UCC Bill — Live-in Relationship Registration, Opposition Walkout
The Gujarat Assembly on Tuesday passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a UCC. The opposition Congress walked out of the Assembly during the debate. As many as 16 MLAs spoke on the Bill, which notably includes provisions requiring registration of live-in relationships.
Constitutional & Legal Framework
- Article 44 (DPSP): The State shall endeavour to secure for citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.
- Shah Bano case (1985): Highlighted the need for uniform alimony/maintenance rights across religions.
- Sarla Mudgal v. UOI (1995): SC first urged the government to implement UCC.
- John Vallamattom v. UOI (2003): SC reiterated the need for a UCC.
- 21st Law Commission (2018): Stated UCC is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.”
The Personal Laws vs Fundamental Rights Debate
The UCC debate in India revolves around the tension between personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for different religious communities, and the constitutional mandate for uniformity. Supporters argue that a UCC would ensure gender justice and national integration. Critics contend that it threatens religious freedom and cultural diversity. The Gujarat Bill’s inclusion of live-in relationship registration adds a modern dimension to this decades-old debate.
Uttarakhand as the Pioneer
Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to pass a UCC in 2024, setting a precedent that Gujarat has now followed. Both states are BJP-governed, and the UCC push aligns with the party’s longstanding ideological commitment to the reform.
CLAT Exam Angle
UCC is one of the most frequently tested topics in CLAT. Questions can appear in legal reasoning (testing understanding of DPSPs vs Fundamental Rights), general knowledge (identifying landmark cases), or reading comprehension (passages on secularism and personal law reform). Know the chronology: Shah Bano (1985), Sarla Mudgal (1995), John Vallamattom (2003), 21st Law Commission (2018), Uttarakhand UCC (2024), Gujarat UCC (2026).
Key Facts at a Glance
| Bill | Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 |
| Gujarat’s Position | Second state to pass UCC |
| First State | Uttarakhand (2024) |
| Key Provision | Live-in relationship registration |
| Opposition Action | Congress walkout |
| MLAs Who Spoke | 16 |
| Constitutional Basis | Article 44 (DPSP) |
Mnemonic: UCC-SJ (UCC’s Supreme Journey)
- S — Shah Bano (1985) – maintenance rights
- S — Sarla Mudgal (1995) – SC urged UCC
- J — John Vallamattom (2003) – SC reiterated
- L — Law Commission 21st (2018) – “not necessary”
- U — Uttarakhand (2024) – first state
- G — Gujarat (2026) – second state
Practice Quiz
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
