Overview
On 21 July 2026, the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill for the state. The Bill was introduced a day earlier during the Monsoon session after approval by Mohan Yadav's cabinet.
Key Developments
- Mandatory registration of marriages, divorces and live‑in relationships within 60 days (urban) or one month (rural) through government portals or local authorities.
- Criminalisation of polygamy and the practice of nikah halala.
- Equal inheritance rights for sons, daughters, widows and widowers; parents receive a share alongside spouse and children.
- Live‑in couples must file a declaration with the registrar; non‑registration can lead to imprisonment up to three months and fines up to ₹10,000.
- Children born out of marriage or live‑in relationships are deemed legitimate and receive full inheritance rights.
- Exemption for the state's Scheduled Tribes, which constitute about 21% of the population.
Important Facts
The drafting committee, formed in April, was headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The Bill mirrors provisions already in force in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam. It retains the legal marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women. The Bill also allows any adult of sound mind to bequeath their entire property through a will, removing the two‑thirds compulsory inheritance rule found in Islamic law.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the