Rajasthan Cabinet Clears Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026

The Rajasthan Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has cleared the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. The bill is likely to be introduced in the state Assembly session commencing from August 20th.

The proposed UCC seeks to bring uniformity to laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance, and live-in relationships in Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the draft had been prepared in line with the spirit of Article 44 of the Constitution and on the recommendations of an expert committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

The UCC will not apply to Scheduled Tribes and other communities whose traditional rights are protected under the Constitution. Under the proposed law, registration of marriages will be mandatory, and polygamy will be prohibited. However, communities will retain the freedom to solemnize marriages according to their respective customs and rituals.

The draft of the bill provides that all marriages solemnized after the law comes into force will have to be registered within 60 days. The draft also provides for written notification or registration of the commencement and termination of live-in relationships to safeguard the rights of both partners.

The bill proposes that the registrar will have to issue a marriage or divorce registration certificate within 15 days of receiving the application or reject it in writing, citing reasons. An applicant can appeal against the rejection before the Registrar General within 30 days, with the appeal required to be disposed of within 60 days.

There is provision of penalty as well. Failure to register a marriage could attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000, while ignoring a notice could lead to a penalty of up to Rs 25,000. A registrar found deliberately delaying or neglecting the registration process could also face a fine of up to Rs 25,000.

The bill lays down a judicial mechanism for disputes arising after marriage and provides for annulment of marriages on grounds including violation of the law, forced or fraudulent consent, and impotence. The minister said that the proposed UCC provides equal inheritance rights to sons and daughters.

In cases where a person dies intestate, the property will be distributed according to a specified order of succession. The first category includes the surviving spouse, children, spouses, and children of deceased children, and parents. The second category covers stepparents, siblings, and the spouses and children.

The introduction of the UCC Bill in Rajasthan is a significant development, as it follows other BJP-ruled states like Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, MP, Asam, and Gujarat. The bill is expected to have a major impact on the state's laws governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

The Rajasthan Cabinet also approved the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill, 2026, which is likely to be introduced in the state Assembly session commencing from August 20th.

The proposed UCC Bill has been prepared after considering the recommendations of an expert committee and is in line with the spirit of Article 44 of the Constitution. The bill aims to bring uniformity to laws governing marriage and inheritance, and provide equal rights to all citizens.

In conclusion, the clearance of the UCC Bill by the Rajasthan Cabinet is a significant step towards bringing uniformity to laws governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance in the state. The bill is expected to have a major impact on the state's laws and provide equal rights to all citizens.