UCC: Amit Shah Sets 2029 Deadline For All 21 NDA-ruled States

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be introduced in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, setting a broad political deadline for the rollout of a common framework governing personal laws.

Speaking to media in Mumbai, Shah said the UCC had already been introduced in several states and expressed confidence that the remaining NDA-ruled states would follow suit before the next general election.

“Triple talaq has been abolished, giving Muslim women equal rights. We have introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in several states and I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states, we will introduce the UCC before 2029,” Shah said.

The UCC is aimed at bringing uniformity in personal laws relating to matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, irrespective of religion. The BJP has made the implementation of a UCC one of its longstanding political commitments, and included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto.

Uttarakhand first, three other states move legislation

At present, Uttarakhand is the only state where a UCC is in force. The state implemented its UCC in January 2025, covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession and live-in relationships. The state has subsequently amended the law and rules to address procedural and implementation issues.

The UCC push has since moved to other BJP-ruled states.

Gujarat passed its UCC Bill in March this year, following Uttarakhand. The legislation, however, is yet to come into force pending the requisite process following its passage.

Assam passed its UCC Bill in May, providing for a common framework on marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships. Scheduled Tribes have been kept outside the legislation.

Madhya Pradesh passed its UCC Bill in July, becoming the latest state to clear such legislation. The Bill provides for mandatory registration of marriages, equal inheritance rights for men and women and regulation of live-in relationships. It also excludes tribal communities. The legislation requires Presidential assent before it can take effect.

Why are tribals being kept out?

The exclusion of tribal communities has emerged as an important feature of the state-level UCC legislation.

Shah has said the government does not want the common code to interfere with the customary laws, traditions and practices of tribal communities. The exemption is also reflected in the legislation passed by states such as Assam and Madhya Pradesh.

21 states, but no central UCC yet

Rather than announcing a single Central law applicable across the country, the NDA governments are proceeding through state-level legislation.

The BJP and NDA are currently in power in 21 states and Union Territories. Several other BJP-ruled states have begun preparatory work. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, among others, have been considering or working towards their own frameworks.

The Uttarakhand official UCC portal currently provides for registration and services relating to marriage, divorce, live-in relationships and succession, indicating the extent of the administrative machinery required once the law comes into force.