Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, on Thursday approved the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, a move that proposes a ban on polygamy, makes marriage registration mandatory and seeks to bring matters such as maintenance and live-in relationships under a common civil framework, Law Minister Jogaram Patel said.
Key features of the Bill
The Bill, as placed before the cabinet, aims to create a common set of civil laws regulating personal matters including marriage, maintenance, divorce, inheritance and adoption, replacing separate personal laws. The government has, however, stated that the proposed UCC will not apply to tribal communities in the state.
- Ban on polygamy: The legislation proposes prohibition of polygamous marriages.
- Mandatory marriage registration: Couples will be required to register their marriage within 60 days of solemnisation once the law comes into force; failure to register within this period will not render a marriage invalid.
- Coverage of live-in relationships: The Bill explicitly includes live-in relationships among the matters it addresses.
- Service implications: Government employees will be required to submit a marriage registration certificate in their service records; the state said action will be taken against those who delay registration.
Law Minister Jogaram Patel told the media that a committee had been constituted to study the implementation of similar laws in other states, and that the committee—after examining provisions in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Assam—had submitted a report which formed the basis of the draft Bill now approved by the cabinet.
Where Rajasthan stands in the national picture
With the cabinet approval, Rajasthan becomes the fifth state where such a UCC measure has been taken forward, following recent moves in other states. The government noted that states which have introduced comparable legislation earlier this year include Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
| State | Action on UCC | Reported month, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | Introduced/approved | March 2026 |
| Uttarakhand | Introduced/approved | March 2026 |
| Assam | Introduced/approved | May 2026 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Introduced/approved | July 2026 |
| Rajasthan | Cabinet approved Bill | 2026 |
Officials said the Rajasthan Bill follows the pattern of these state initiatives in seeking a single civil code that transcends religious personal laws for specified matters. The cabinet's approval is a precursor to the Bill being placed before the Assembly for debate and passage, following the state’s legislative procedures.
Practical implications and administrative steps
The mandatory registration provision requires couples to file a marriage certificate within 60 days of the marriage ceremony once the law is notified. The government clarified that non-registration within the stipulated period will not invalidate the marriage itself, but administrative action will be taken against those who delay registration, and government staff will have to produce registration documents for service records.
The cabinet also directed further administrative preparations and said implementation modalities would be worked out, including rules and the institutional mechanism required to register marriages, address disputes arising under the common code, and administer maintenance and related provisions.
The decision to exempt tribal communities from the proposed law reflects the state's recognition of customary practices in tribal areas; the cabinet statement said tribal laws and customs will continue to operate for those communities.
The Bill is expected to spark political and social debate in the state, touching on sensitive questions about personal law, gender rights and community practices. The state government, while underlining its intent to bring uniform civil provisions, has signalled that it will roll out the law with administrative safeguards and specified exemptions.
(Reporting from Jaipur)
