NEW DELHI — Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation passed by three state assemblies this year remains pending before the President of India for formal approval, following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s pledge that all National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states will implement a UCC prior to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The legislative assemblies of Assam, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh passed UCC bills earlier this year. The state-level measures are modeled on the Uniform Civil Code legislation enacted in Uttarakhand, but include specific modifications to accommodate state-specific tribal communities and local customs.
Under constitutional procedure, state governors have reserved the bills passed by the respective legislative assemblies and referred them to the President for assent.
In Madhya Pradesh, the state assembly passed its UCC bill on July 21, and officials forwarded the legislation for presidential approval the following day. A General Administration Department official in Madhya Pradesh stated that the state is awaiting the President’s response and expects approval soon. Senior government officials in Gujarat and Assam similarly confirmed that their respective bills remain under review at the presidential level after being reserved by their governors.
The Uniform Civil Code has been a core element of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) long-standing electoral manifesto, forming a major policy troika alongside the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Having fulfilled the latter two commitments, the BJP has pursued state-level legislative enactments as the primary mechanism to execute the third.
Despite the push from the central leadership, several key NDA coalition partners have expressed caution or explicit reservations regarding the implementation of a uniform code.
Janata Dal (United) working president Sanjay Jha stated that his party plans to discuss UCC implementation directly with Home Minister Shah. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said the party intends to consult with stakeholders when the issue comes up for deliberation. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan noted that his party remains committed to balancing “uniformity and diversity” within the constitutional framework.
Broader opposition persists among NDA allies in northeastern states. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio previously sought a formal exemption for his state in September 2023, warning that a standardized civil code could threaten unique Naga culture and traditional legal protections. In January 2025, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma publicly stated that a Uniform Civil Code was neither “appropriate nor practical” given India’s cultural and social diversity.
Sources
– Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ucc-bills-passed-in-assam-gujarat-mp-await-president-s-nod-as-shah-sets-2029-deadline-for-nda-states-101789520989676.html
Source: Hindustan Times – India News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
