Jaipur: Rajasthan govt’s proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) seeks to bring marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships under a common legal framework, with compulsory registration of marriages and divorces and a formal mechanism to register live-in relationships.The Rajasthan UCC Bill, 2026, was introduced in the state assembly Friday but is likely to be discussed in detail once House proceedings resume in Nov after the upcoming panchayat elections, as the assembly was adjourned sine die shortly after amid Opposition protests.The Bill applies across Rajasthan and also to Rajasthan residents living outside the state. However, it specifically excludes Scheduled Tribes and groups whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution.The draft lays down common conditions for a valid marriage. It bars marriage when either party already has a living spouse and retains the minimum marriageable age at 21 for men and 18 for women. It recognises customary and religious ceremonies, including Saptapadi, Nikah, Holy Union, Anand Karaj and Mangal Fera, among others.One of the key provisions is compulsory registration of marriages. The draft provides for registration of divorce and nullity decrees and proposes a system of Registrars and a Registrar General to maintain records. Govt can establish electronic registers and web portals for the process.The draft brings live-in relationships within its regulatory framework. It defines a live-in relationship as a man and a woman living together in a shared household in a relationship in the nature of marriage. Partners would have to submit a joint statement to Registrar for registration, while termination of the relationship would also be formally recorded.The Bill’s objects and reasons say the registration framework is intended to “protect partners” and ensure the legitimacy of children born from such relationships. It proposes penalties for non-compliance, false information and obtaining consent through fraud, force or coercion.On divorce, the draft provides for mutual-consent divorce where the couple has lived separately for at least one year and mutually agrees to dissolve the marriage. In cases of exceptional hardship or depravity, the court can waive the waiting requirements.The Bill proposes standardised rules governing both intestate and testamentary succession, along with provisions relating to maintenance and inheritance. Govt says the objective is to promote “equality, gender justice and uniformity in personal laws”. The proposed law will come into force only from a date to be notified by the state govt after enactment.
