Madhya Pradesh Introduces Uniform Civil Code Bill

The Madhya Pradesh government introduced a landmark Uniform Civil Code Bill in the state Legislative Assembly on Monday, July 20, 2026, aiming to establish a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships for all citizens, with exemptions for tribal communities. The bill's introduction follows its approval by the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in a special meeting on Sunday, July 19.

Chief Minister Yadav described the legislation as a historic step toward ensuring equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion, and said it was framed under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated the primary objective is to eliminate discrimination against women under disparate personal laws and to promote social harmony and national unity. The bill proposes a uniform, gender-neutral legal framework, making Madhya Pradesh the fourth state after Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam to pursue such a code.

Key provisions of the proposed law include mandatory registration for marriages and divorces, a ban on polygamy by enforcing monogamy, and the prohibition of specific Islamic practices such as...