Rajasthan Cabinet approves Uniform Civil Code bill

The Rajasthan Cabinet has approved a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill that aims to establish a common legal framework for personal matters including marriage, divorce, succession, and adoption. The proposed legislation includes a ban on polygamy and mandates the registration of marriages and divorces within 60 days. Additionally, the bill requires the mandatory registration or written notification of the beginning and end of live-in relationships.

Prepared by a committee led by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the approximately 200-page draft draws inspiration from existing legal provisions in Uttarakhand and Gujarat. The bill also proposes equal property rights for sons and daughters across all religions.

To comply with constitutional protections, the UCC will not apply to Scheduled Tribes or communities whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution. Rajasthan becomes the fifth state ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party to advance toward implementing a common personal law framework.