Assam Appoints Panel to Draft Uniform Civil Code Rules

Guwahati: Assam officials moved to fast-track the Uniform Civil Code by forming an eight-member committee to draft rules for the new law. The state government issued the mandate through the Political Department. The panel has one month to deliver the draft.

Home and Political Department Secretary Deba Prasad Misra will head the committee. Other members include Partha Pratim Majumdar, Geetanjali D Saikia, Farida Samsul, and Mridul Kr Das. Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Tewari confirmed the order, dated October 13, on Thursday.

The state Assembly passed the Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, on May 27. The bill now sits with the central government. It waits for the President's assent. Assam is the third state to approve such legislation, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

The law covers marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships. It mandates registration for live-in couples. Failure to register carries a penalty of up to three months in prison. It also bans polygamy. Violators face up to seven years in jail. The law exempts all Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam. According to the official order, "The committee will formulate the rules required to operationalise the proposed legislation."