Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern India
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 with a majority voice vote on March 25, 2026. The legislation makes Gujarat the second state in India—following Uttarakhand in 2024—to adopt a standardized civil framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships.
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
In pursuance of the constitutional mandate enshrined under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which calls upon the State to endeavor to secure for its citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory, the Government of Gujarat has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Justice (R.), Ranjana Prakash Desai, to assess the need for implementing Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat and then, based on the assessed need, suggest the contours of such a law. In the process, the committee would be reviewing the existing laws relating to regulation of personal civil matters of the residents of Gujarat.
The Committee, comprising eminent senior Advocate, academicians, and social activist, undertook a comprehensive study of existing personal laws, judicial pronouncements, and comparative practices across jurisdictions. After extensive consultations with stakeholders and communities, the Committee submitted its Report, recommending the adoption of a Uniform Civil Code to ensure equality, justice, and harmony in matters of marriage, divorce, succession, adoption, and related civil affairs.
The present Bill seeks to give effect to these recommendations by providing a uniform legal framework governing civil matters for all citizens of the State, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, or gender. It aims to uphold the principles of secularism, gender justice, and social reform, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of society.
This Bill is introduced with the conviction that a Uniform Civil Code will not only fulfil the vision of the framers of the Constitution but also promote fairness, inclusivity, and progressive social values in the State.
The Bill seeks to achieve the aforesaid objects.
GUJARAT UNIFORM CIVIL CODE, 2026
This Act may be called the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026. It extends to the whole of the State of Gujarat and applies also to the residents of Gujarat, “resident”, for the purpose of this Code, means a citizen of
India, whether residing within or outside the territories of the State of Gujarat. Nothing contained in this Code shall apply to- (1) the members of Scheduled Tribes within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 read with Article 342 of the Constitution of India; and (2) the persons and group of persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution of India.
PRELIMINARY
- Short title, commencement and extent.
- Non-applicability of Code to Scheduled Tribes and other groups of persons.
- Definitions.
PART – 1 MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
CHAPTER – 1
CONDITIONS FOR SOLEMNIZING/CONTRACTING MARRIAGE
- Conditions for a valid marriage.
- Ceremonies for marriage.
CHAPTER – 2
REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
- Compulsory registration of marriage solemnized/contracted after the commencement of Code.
- Registration of marriage solemnized/contracted before commencement of code.
- Registration of decree of divorce or nullity which has attended finality after commencement of Code.
- Registration of decree of divorce or nullity which has attended finality before commencement of Code.
- Period and procedure for registration of marriage under section 6 and 7.
- Period and procedure for registration of decree of divorce or nullity under sections 8 and 9.
- Appointment of Registrar General and Register.
- Action on receipt of memorandum under section 10 or section 11.
- Cancellation of registration and appeal against registration.
- Inspection of Registers.
- Evidentiary value of certain documents.
- Penalty for neglect and punishment for false statement.
- Procedure in case of non-registration.
- Penalty for inaction by Registrar and appeal against penalty.
- Non-registration not to invalidate marriage.
- Responsibility of employer etc. regarding verification of marriage registration certificate.
- Punishment for secreting, destroying or altering register.
- Registrar to be public servant.
- Indemnity to persons acting under the Code.
- Power of State Government to give directions.
CHAPTER – 3
RESTITUTION OF CONJUGAL RIGHTS AND JUDICIAL SEPARATION
- Restitution of conjugal rights.
- Judicial separation.
CHAPTER – 4
NULLITY OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
- Void marriages.
- Voidable marriages.
- Limitation on filing a petition for decree of nullity of marriage.
- Divorce.
- Alternate relief in divorce proceedings.
- Divorce by mutual consent.
- Restriction on petition for divorce within one year of marriage.
- Prohibition on dissolution of marriage.
- Right of person to remarry where a decree of divorce or nullity of marriage is passed.
- Legitimacy of children of divorce and voidable marriages.
- Punishment for contravention of certain provisions.
CHAPTER – 5
INCIDENTAL PROCEEDINGS
- Maintenance pendent lite and expenses of proceedings.
- Permanent alimony and maintenance.
- Custody and care of children.
- Disposal of estate.
CHAPTER – 6
JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE
- Courts to which petition shall be presented.
- Pleadings under this Part.
- Procedure for proceedings in the court under this Part.
- Power to transfer petitions in certain cases.
- Special provisions relating to trial and disposal of petitions under this Part.
- Documentary evidence.
- Decree in proceedings.
- Relief to respondent in divorce and other proceedings.
- Power to punish and procedure therefor.
CHAPTER – 7
SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
- Appeals from decrees and orders.
- Enforcement of decrees and orders.
- Power to make rules.
PART – 2 SUCCESSION
CHAPTER – 1
INTESTATE SUCCESSION
- General rules of succession.
- Manner of succession.
- Distribution of estate amongst Class-I heirs.
- Distribution of estate amongst the Class-2 heirs.
- Distribution of estate amongst other relatives.
- Computation of degrees.
- Right of child in womb.
- Presumption in cases of simultaneous deaths.
- Disqualification upon remarriage.
- Murderer disqualified.
- Succession when heir disqualified.
- Disease, defect or deformity not to disqualify.
CHAPTER – 2
TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSION
- Person capable of making Wills.
- Will obtained by fraud, coercion or importunity.
- Will may be revoked or altered.
- Execution of Wills.
- Incorporation of papers by reference.
- Witness not disqualified by interest or by being executor.
- Revocation of Will or codicil.
- Effect of obliteration, interlineation or alteration of unprivileged Will.
- Revival of unprivileged Will.
- Wording of Wills.
- Inquiries to determine questions as to object or subject of Will.
- Misnomer or mis-description of object.
- When words may be supplied.
- Rejection of erroneous particulars in description of subject.
- When part of description may not be rejected as erroneous.
- Extrinsic evidence admissible in cases of patent ambiguity.
- Extrinsic evidence inadmissible in case of patent ambiguity or deficiency.
- Meaning of clause to be collected from entire Will.
- When words may be understood in restricted sense, and when in sense wider than usual.
- Which of two possible constructions preferred.
- No part rejected, if it can be reasonably construed.
- Interpretation of words repeated in different parts of Will.
- Testator’s intention to be effectuated as far as possible.
- The last of two inconsistent clauses prevails.
- Will or bequest void for uncertainty.
- Words describing subject refer to estate answering description at testator’s death.
- Power of appointment executed by general bequest.
- Implied gift to objects of power in default of appointment.
- Bequest to heirs, etc. of particular person without qualifying terms.
- Bequest to ‘representatives’ etc. of particular person.
- Bequest without words of limitation.
- Bequest in alternative.
- Effect of words describing a class added to person.
- Bequest to class of persons under general description only.
- Construction of terms.
- Rules of construction where Will purports to make bequests to same person.
- Constitution of residuary legatee.
- Estate to which residuary legatee entitled.
- Time of vesting legacy in general terms.
- In what case legacy lapses.
- Legacy does not lapse if one of two joint legatees dies before testator.
- Effect of words showing testator’s intention to give distinct shares.
- When lapsed share goes as undisposed of.
- When bequest to testator’s child or lineal descendant does not lapse on his death in testator’s lifetime.
- Bequest to A for benefit of B does not lapse by A’s death.
- Survivorship in case of bequest to described class.
- Bequest to person by particular description, who is not in existence at testator’s death.
- Bequest to person not in existence at testator’s death subject to prior bequest.
- Rule against perpetuity.
- Bequest to a class some of whom may come under rules in sections 114 and 115.
- Bequest to take effect on failure of prior bequest.
- Effect of direction for accumulation.
- Date of vesting of legacy when payment or possession postponed.
- Date of vesting when legacy contingent upon specified uncertain event.
- Vesting of interest in bequest to such members of a class as shall have attained particular age.
- Onerous bequests.
- One of two separate and independent bequests to same person may be accepted and other refused.
- Bequest contingent upon specified uncertain event, no time being mentioned for its occurrence.
- Bequest to such of certain persons as shall be surviving at some period not specified.
- Bequest upon impossible condition.
- Bequest upon illegal or immoral condition.
- Fulfilment of condition precedent to vesting of legacy.
- Bequest to ‘A’ and on failure of prior bequest to ‘B’.
- When second bequest not to take effect on failure of first.
- Bequest over, conditional upon happening or not happening of specified uncertain event.
- Condition must be strictly fulfilled.
- Original bequest not affected by invalidity of second.
- Bequest conditioned that it shall cease to have effect in case of specified uncertain event shall happen, or not happen.
- Such condition must not be invalid under section 120.
- Result of legatee rendering impossible or indefinitely postponing act.
- Performance of condition precedent or subsequent, within specified time.
- Direction that fund may be employed in particular manner following absolute bequest of same to or for benefit of any person.
- Direction that mode of enjoyment of absolute bequest to be restricted, to secure specified benefit for legatee.
- Bequest of fund for certain purpose, some of which cannot be fulfilled.
- Legatee named as executor cannot take unless he shows intention to act as executor.
- Specified legacy defined.
- Bequest of certain sum where stocks etc. in which invested are described.
- Bequest of stock where testator had, at date of Will, equal or greater amount of stock of same kind.
- Bequest of money where not payable until part of testator’s estate disposed of in certain way.
- When enumerated articles not deemed specifically bequeathed.
- Retention, in form, of specific bequest to several persons in succession.
- Sale and investment of proceeds of estate bequeathed to two or more persons in succession.
- Where deficiency of assets to pay legacies, specific legacy not to abate with general legacies.
- Demonstrative legacy defined.
- Order of payment when legacy directed to be paid out of fund subject to specific legacy.
- Ademption explained.
- Non-ademption of demonstrative legacy.
- Ademption of specific bequest of right to receive something from third party.
- Ademption pro tanto by testator’s receipt of entire thing specifically bequeathed.
- Ademption pro tanto by testator’s receipt of entire fund of which portion has been specifically bequeathed.
- Order of payment where portion of fund specifically bequeathed to one legatee and legacy charged on same fund to another.
- Ademption where stock, specifically bequeathed does not exist at testator’s death.
- Ademption pro tanto where stock, specifically bequeathed, exists in part only at testator’s death.
- Non-ademption of specific bequest of goods described as connected with certain place, by reason of removal.
- When removal of thing bequeathed does not constitute ademption.
- When thing bequeathed is a valuable to be received by testator from third person.
- Change by operation of law of subject of specific bequest between date of Will and testator’s death.
- Change of subject without testator’s knowledge.
- Stock specifically bequeathed lent to third party on condition that it be replaced.
- Stock specifically bequeathed sold but replaced, and belonging to testator at his death.
- Non-liability of executor to exonerate specific legatees.
- Completion of testator’s title to things bequeathed to be at the cost of his estate.
- Exoneration of legatee’s immovable estate for which land revenue or rent payable periodically.
- Exoneration of specific legatee’s stock in joint stock company.
- Bequest of thing described in general terms.
- Bequest of interest or produce of fund.
- Annuity created by Will payable for life only unless contrary intention appears by Will.
- Period of vesting where Will directs that annuity be provided out of proceeds of estate.
- Abatement of annuity.
- Where gift of annuity and residuary gift, whole annuity to be first satisfied.
- Creditor prima facie entitled to legacy as well as debt.
- Child prima facie entitled to legacy as well as portion.
- No ademption by subsequent provision for legatee.
- Circumstances in which election takes place.
- Devolution of interest relinquished by owner.
- Testator’s belief as to his ownership immaterial.
- Bequest for person’s benefit how regarded for purpose of election.
- Person deriving benefit indirectly not put to election.
- Person taking in individual capacity under Will may in other character elect to take in opposition.
- Exception to provisions of last six sections.
- When acceptance of benefit given by Will constitutes election to take under Will.
- Circumstances in which knowledge or waiver is presumed or inferred.
- When testator’s representatives may call upon legatee to elect.
- Postponement of election in case of disability.
- Estate transferable by gift made in contemplation of death.
CHAPTER – 3
PROTECTION OF ESTATE OF DECEASED
- Person claiming right by succession to estate of deceased may apply for relief against wrongful possession.
- Inquiry made by Judge.
- Procedure.
- Appointment of curator pending determination of proceedings.
- Powers conferrable on curator.
- Prohibition of exercise of certain powers by curator.
- Curator to give security and may receive remuneration.
- Report from Collector where estate includes revenue paying land.
- Institution and defence of suits.
- Allowances to apparent owners pending custody by curator.
- Accounts to be filed by curator.
- Inspection of accounts and right of interested party to keep duplicate.
- Bar to appointment of second curator for same estate.
- Limitation of time for application for curator.
- Bar to enforcement of the Chapter against public settlement or legal directions by deceased.
- Saving of right to bring suit.
- Effect of decision of summary proceeding.
- Appointment of public curators.
CHAPTER – 4
REPRESENTATIVE TITLE TO ESTATE OF DECEASED ON SUCCESSION
- Character and estate of curator or administration as such.
- Proof of representative title a condition precedent.
- Effect on certificate of subsequent probate or letters of administration.
- Grantee of probate or administration alone to sue etc. until same revoked.
CHAPTER – 5
PROBATE, LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF ASSETS OF DECEASED
- Application of this Chapter.
- To whom administration may be granted.
- Effect of letters of administration.
- Acts not validated by administration.
- Probate only to appointed executor.
- Persons to whom probate cannot be granted.
- Grant of probate to several executors simultaneously or at different times.
- Separate probate of codicil discovered after grant of probate.
- Accrual of representation to surviving executor.
- Effect of probate.
- Administration with copy annexed, of authenticated copy of Will proved abroad.
- Grant of administration where executor has not renounced.
- Form and effect of renunciation of executorship.
- Procedure where executor renounces or fails to accept within time limited.
- Grant of administration to universal or residuary legatees.
- Right to administration of representative of deceased residuary legatee.
- Grant of administration where no curator nor residuary legatee nor representative of such legatee.
- Citation before grant of administration to legatee other than universal or residuary.
- To whom administration may not be granted.
- Laying of rules before the State Legislature.
- Probate of copy or draft of lost Will.
- Probate of contents of lost or destroyed Will.
- Probate of copy where original exists.
- Administration until Will produced.
- Administration, with Will annexed to attorney of absent executor.
- Administration, with Will annexed to attorney of absent person who, if present would be entitled to administer.
- Administration to attorney of absent person entitled to administer in case of intestacy.
- Administration during minority of sole executor or residuary legatee.
- Administration during minority of several executors or residuary legatees.
- Administration for use and benefit of lunatic or minor.
- Administration pendente lite.
- Probate limited to purpose specified in Will.
- Administration with Will annexed, limited to particular purpose.
- Administration limited to estate in which person has beneficial interest.
- Administration limited to suit.
- Administration limited to purpose of becoming party to suit to be brought against administrator.
- Administration limited to collection and preservation of deceased’s estate.
- Appointment as administrator, of persons other than one in ordinary circumstances, would be entitled to administration.
- Probate or administration with Will annexed, subject to exception.
- Administration with exception.
- Probate or administration of rest.
- Grant of effects unadministered.
- Rules as to grants of effects unadministered.
- Administration when limited grant expired and still some part of estate unadministered.
- What errors may be rectified by court.
- Procedure where codicil discovered after grant of administration with Will annexed.
- Revocation or annulment for just cause.
- Jurisdiction of District Judge in granting and revoking probates etc.
- Power to appoint delegate of District Judge to deal with non-contentious cases.
- District Judge’s powers as to grant of probate and administration.
- District Judge may order person to produce testamentary papers.
- Proceedings of District Judge’s court in relation to probate and administration.
- When and how District Judge to interfere for protection of estate.
- When probate or administration may be granted by District Judge.
- Disposal of application made to Judge of District in which deceased had no fixed abode.
- Probate and letters of administration may be granted by Delegate.
- Conclusiveness of probate or letters of administration.
- Transmission to High Courts of certificate of grants under proviso to section 270.
- Distribution of estate amongst other relatives.
- Petition for probate.
- In what cases translation of Will to be annexed to petition.
- Petition for letters of administration.
- Addition to statement in petition etc.
- Petition for probate etc. to be signed and verified.
- Verification of petition for probate, by one witness to Will.
- Punishment for false averment in petition or declaration.
- Powers of District Judge.
- Caveats against grant of probate or administration.
- After entry of caveat, no proceeding taken on petition until after notice to caveator.
- District Delegate when not to grant probate or administration.
- Power to transmit statement to District Judge in doubtful cases where no contention.
- Procedure where there is contention or District Judge thinks probate or letters of administration should be refused.
- Grant of probate to be under seal of court.
- Grant of letters of administration to be under seal of court.
- Administration Bond.
- Assignment of administration bond.
- Time for grant of probate and administration.
- Filing of original Wills of which probate or administration with Will annexed granted.
- Procedure in contentious cases.
- Surrender of revoked probate or letters of administration.
- Payment to executor or administrator before probate or administration revoked.
- Power to refuse letters of administration.
- Appeals from orders of District Judge.
- Removal of executor or administrator and provision for successor.
- Directions to executor or administrator.
- Executor of his own wrong.
- Liability of executor of his own wrong.
- In respect of causes of action surviving deceased and debts due at death.
- Demands and rights of action of or against deceased survive and against executor or administrator.
- Power of executor or administrator to dispose of estate.
- General powers of administration.
- Purchase by executor or administrator of deceased’s estate.
- Powers of several executors or administrators exercisable by one.
- Survival of powers on death of one of several executors or administrators.
- Powers of administrator of effects unadministered.
- Powers of administrator during minority.
- Powers of married executrix or administratrix.
- As to deceased’s funeral.
- Inventory and account.
- Inventory to include estate in any part of India in certain cases.
- As to estate of, and debts owing to, deceased.
- Expenses to be paid before all debts.
- Expenses to be paid next after such expenses.
- Wages for certain services to be next paid, and then other debts.
- Save as aforesaid, all debts to be paid equally and rateably.
- Application of moveable estate to payment of debts where domicile not in India.
- Debts to be paid before legacies.
- Executor or administrator not bound to pay without indemnity.
- Abatement of general legacies.
- Non-abatement of specific legacy when assets sufficient to pay debts.
- Rights under demonstrative legacy when assets sufficient to pay debts and necessary expenses.
- Rateable abatement of specific legacies.
- Legacies treated as general for purpose of abatement.
- Assent necessary to complete legatee’s title.
- Effect of executor’s assent to specific legacy.
- Conditional assent.
- Assent of executor to his legacy.
- Effect of executor’s assent.
- Executor when to deliver legacies.
- Commencement of annuity when no time fixed by Will.
- When annuity, to be paid quarterly or monthly, first falls due.
- Dates of successive payments when first payment directed to be paid within given period.
- Investment of sums bequeathed, when legacy, not specific, given for life.
- Investment of general legacy, to be paid at future time and disposal of intermediate interest.
- Procedure when no fund charged with, or appropriated to, annuity.
- Transfer to residuary legatee of contingent bequest.
- Investment of residue bequeathed for life, without direction to invest in particular securities.
- Investment of residue bequeathed for life, with direction to invest in specified securities.
- Time and manner of conversion and investment.
- Procedure when minor entitled to immediate payment or possession of bequest, and no direction to pay to person on his behalf.
- Legatee’s title to produce of specific legacy.
- Residuary legatee’s title to produce of residuary fund.
- Interest when no time fixed for payment of general legacy.
- Interest when time fixed.
- Rate of interest.
- No interest on arrears of annuity within first year after testator’s death.
- Interest on sum to be invested to produce annuity.
- Refund of legacy paid under court’s orders.
- No refund if not paid voluntarily.
- Refund when legacy has become due on performance of condition within time allowed under section 137.
- When each legatee compellable to refund in proportion.
- Distribution of assets.
- Creditor may call legatee to refund.
- When legatee, not satisfied or compelled to refund under section 356 cannot oblige one paid in full to refund.
- When unsatisfied legatee must first proceed against executor, if solvent.
- Limit to refunding of one legatee to another.
- Refunding to be without interest.
- Residue after usual payments to be paid to residuary legatee.
- Transfer of assets from India to executor or administrator in country of domicile for distribution.
- Liability of executor or administrator for devastation.
- Liability of executor or administrator for neglect to get in part of estate.
CHAPTER – 6
SUCCESSION CERTIFICATES
- Court having jurisdiction to grant certificate.
- Application for certificate.
- Procedure on application.
- Contents of certificate.
- Requisition of security from grantee of certificate.
- Extension of certificate.
- Forms of certificate and extended certificate.
- Amendment of certificate in respect of powers as to securities.
- Modes of collecting court-fees on certificate.
- Local extent of certificate.
- Effect of certificate.
- Revocation of certificate.
- Appeal.
- Effect on certificate of previous certificate, probate or letters of administration.
- Validation of certain payments made in good faith.
- Effect of decisions under this Part, and liability of holder of certificate thereunder.
- Investiture of inferior courts with jurisdiction of District Court for purposes of this Part.
- Surrender of superseded and invalid certificates.
CHAPTER – 7
MISCELLANEOUS
- Savings.
PART – 3 LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIP
- Submission of statement by partners to a live-in relationship.
- Children of a live-in relationship.
- When live-in relationships not to be registered.
- Procedure for registration of live-in relationship.
- Registration under this Part only for record.
- Empowerment of Registrar under this Part, and maintenance of registers.
- Submission of statement of termination of live-in relationship.
- Duties of Registrar.
- Notice for registration of live-in relationship.
- Offences and punishment.
- Maintenance.
- Power to make rules.
PART – 4 MISCELLANEOUS
- Repeal and Savings.
- Power to make rules.
- Power to remove difficulties.
SCHEDULES
Schedule-1
Schedule-2
Schedule-3
Schedule-4
Schedule-5
Schedule-6
Schedule-7
