Uniform Civil Code: Amit Shah targets rollout by 2029 in 21 NDA states – where does UCC already apply? | Today’s news
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in all 21 states administered by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by 2029.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, Shah also highlighted that India’s national security posture has fundamentally transformed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi through decisive cross-border operations.
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“We have implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in several states. I am confident that we will implement the UCC in all 21 BJP-ruled NDA states by 2029…Operations like surgical strikes, air strikes and Sindoor have established a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, while security is a priority across sectors,” Shah said.
What is the Uniform Civil Code?
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposal in India to create a uniform set of personal laws that apply equally to all citizens irrespective of their religion.
It basically covers marriage and divorce and proposes common rules for wedding ceremonies, separation and alimony. The Code also proposes uniform rules for the transfer of family property and property to children or relatives and standard legal steps for the adoption of children and the care of minors.
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Currently, different religious groups follow their own personal laws. Hindus, Muslims, Christians and couples use different religion-based rules for family matters. The idea of the UCC is to replace these separate religious rules with one common secular legal framework for all.
Which states have a UCC?
The UCC Bill has already been introduced and passed in three states – Uttarakhand in February 2024, Gujarat in March 2026 and Assam in May 2026.
While Uttarakhand is fully implementing the code from January 2025, Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh are awaiting presidential approval and notification. Maharashtra, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have formed committees to draft the legislation.
Initiatives at the state level towards a uniform civil code
-Goa has the equivalent of a Uniform Civil Code inherited from former Portuguese colonial law.
-Uttarakhand is the only state where UCC has been implemented so far.
On 7 February 2024, the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passed The Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act, 2024, making Uttarakhand the first post-independence state in India to adopt a uniform civil code. The Bill received the assent of the Governor of Uttarakhand on 28 February 2024 and the Code came into force on 27 January 2025 following the notification of the Uniform Civil Code Rules, 2025.
-Gujarat: In March 2026, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, making it the second Indian state after Uttarakhand to enact a Uniform Civil Code. The legislation provides a common legal framework governing matters relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, inheritance and cohabitation.
– Assam: On 27 May 2026, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code, Assam, Bill, 2026, making Assam the third state to enact a Uniform Civil Code and the first in Northeast India. The legislation introduces a common civil law framework for matters relating to marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, while exempting members of the Scheduled Tribes from its provisions.
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– Madhya Pradesh: In July 2026, the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code Act, 2026, making it the fourth state to enact a Uniform Civil Code. The bill seeks to create a uniform legal framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, inheritance and adoption, and also prohibits polygamy.
Legal status and prospects
The UCC was included in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto for the 1998, 2019 and 2024 elections. In November 2019, it was even proposed for the first time to be introduced in the Narayan Lal Panchariya Parliament.
I am confident that by 2029 we will introduce UCC in all 21 states ruled by the BJP-led NDA.
Amid protests from other MPs, the bill was soon withdrawn to make certain amendments. The bill was introduced a second time by Kirodi Lal Meena in March 2020, but was not introduced again due to opposition.
