Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 27 announced that the Assam Assembly has adopted the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) 2026, making Assam the third state in the country after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to pass such legislation.

Addressing the media after the passage of the Bill in the Assembly, Sarma described it as a “historic” moment and said implementing the Uniform Civil Code was one of the BJP government’s commitments in its election manifesto.

“I am very happy to inform you that Assam Assembly has adopted Uniform Civil Code 2026. Assam will be the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to adopt Uniform Civil Code,” the Chief Minister said.

Expressing satisfaction over the timing of the development, Sarma said the government was able to fulfil a major electoral commitment during the very first session of the newly constituted Assembly following the elections.

“We are very happy and delighted that in the first session of Assam Assembly, immediately after the election, we could adopt this historic Bill,” he said.

Sarma said the Bill will now be sent to the President of India for assent before it can be implemented in the state.

“Once we receive the assent, the Bill will be implemented in Assam in letter and spirit,” he said.

He further informed that while the rules required for implementation are already prepared, they cannot be formally notified until presidential approval is received.

“Normally, after getting assent from the President, we have to notify six to seven rules. I think the process may take around three to six months,” Sarma said.

The Assam Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on May 27 through a voice vote amid opposition protests and demands for the proposed legislation to be referred to a select committee. 

The Bill seeks to establish a common legal framework on personal matters while excluding Scheduled Tribes residing in the state from its ambit.