The Rajasthan Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, on Thursday approved the draft Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, paving the way for its introduction in the state Assembly session beginning August 20.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, said the proposed legislation seeks to establish uniform laws across religions governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships. The bill mandates marriage registration and bans polygamy, while granting equal inheritance rights to sons and daughters.
Patel clarified that the law will not apply to tribal communities. He said the draft had been prepared in line with the spirit of Article 44 of the Constitution, on the recommendations of an expert committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
A panel had earlier been tasked with studying the implementation of similar laws in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Assam, and the Bill has been drafted after examining the provisions in these states, the minister said. Under the proposed law, marriage registration will be mandatory within 60 days once it comes into force, though failure to register within the stipulated period will not render a marriage invalid.
With this move, Rajasthan joins Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam among BJP-ruled states pursuing a common civil code, in line with the party’s long-standing push for implementing Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
The Cabinet also cleared the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill, 2026, proposing special protection for 29 tree species, including the state tree khejri, following agitations earlier this year to save the khejri tree in western Rajasthan. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a set of service rule changes, including provisions for compassionate appointments, surrogate maternity leave and childcare leave.
Both bills are expected to be tabled during the upcoming Assembly session.
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