The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved a draft Uniform Civil Code bill to standardize marriage, divorce, and inheritance laws. The proposed legislation mandates marriage registration and introduces regulations for live-in relationships while exempting Scheduled Tribes. This state-level move follows similar legislative efforts seen in other Indian states.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet officially approved the draft 'Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code, 2026' on Sunday. This proposed legislation seeks to create a unified set of personal laws governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, and inheritance for citizens across the state, irrespective of their religious background. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav noted that the framework is designed to promote equality and legal consistency in personal matters.
Key Provisions and Marriage Regulation
Under the new draft, the state mandates the compulsory registration of all marriages and divorces. The bill enforces monogamy by prohibiting individuals from having more than one living spouse. It specifically bans practices such as triple talaq and criminalizes 'nikah halala'. To ensure accessibility, the government plans to facilitate these registrations through the MP e-Nagarpalika Portal for urban areas, while rural residents can approach their local municipality, panchayat, or Sub-Divisional Magistrate office.
Live-in Relationship Rules
One of the most distinct features of the proposed law is the formal regulation of live-in relationships. Couples in such arrangements are required to submit a formal 'Statement of Live-in Relationship' to the registrar within one month of cohabitation. Both partners must be at least 18 years old and not within prohibited relationship categories. Failure to register or providing false information during this process may result in penalties, including fines of up to Rs 25,000 or imprisonment ranging from three to six months. The bill also provides legal protections for women in these relationships, specifically regarding the right to seek maintenance if abandoned.
Inheritance and Exemptions
The draft bill seeks to simplify inheritance rights by ensuring sons and daughters have equal claims to property. Furthermore, the legislation grants equal legal status to children regardless of their birth circumstances, including those born through adoption, surrogacy, assisted reproductive technology, or live-in relationships. While the law is intended to be comprehensive, it provides a specific exemption for Scheduled Tribes and certain communities that possess constitutionally protected traditional rights.
Legislative Context
The Madhya Pradesh government drafted this legislation after studying similar frameworks implemented in other states, including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam. While the bill aims to modernize personal laws and align them with constitutional principles of equity and justice, it remains subject to the formal legislative process in the state assembly. Investors and citizens will now track the next steps, including the introduction of the bill in the assembly session and the specific timeline for its final passage and implementation.