Cabinet Approves Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026: Mandatory live-in registration; bill will reach Assembly in monsoon session
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill at a meeting held in Jagdishpur, Bhopal, on Sunday. The government will now introduce the bill in the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly, which begins on July 20. In addition to the UCC, bills related to the Labor Code, Private University Amendments, Civil Security, and Ease of Doing Business were also approved at the meeting.
Appeal for support from Congress
The Chief Minister stated that all political parties except the Congress party have submitted their suggestions regarding the Uniform Civil Code. He also appealed to the Congress party to rise above party politics and support the bill.
Strictness on practices like 'Halala'
The proposed law makes it a punishable criminal offence to accept, promote or force someone to accept derogatory or degrading conditions like Nikah Halala for remarriage with a former spouse after divorce.
All children will have equal legal status
Under the UCC, children born to married or unmarried parents, biological children, adopted children, and children born through surrogacy will be granted equal legal status. All children will have equal rights under the law.
Equal rights to daughters in property
The bill provides equal inheritance rights to both sons and daughters. There will be no discrimination based on marital status in matters of inheritance.
Equal rights for parents and spouse
According to the proposed provisions, both the surviving mother and father will be considered Class 1 heirs. If a child dies, the parents will receive an equal share in their estate along with their spouse and children. Furthermore, equal treatment will be ensured for widows and widowers in inheritance matters.
New provisions for live-in relationships
Under the proposed bill, registration of live-in relationships will be made mandatory within one month. Children born from such relationships will have all inheritance rights. There are also provisions for legal action against anyone who engages in a live-in relationship without prior notice.
Marriage and divorce rules will be the same
Under the UCC, marriage provisions will be the same for all citizens. The Chief Minister said that divorce will not be valid merely through a verbal declaration, but will be recognized through legal process.
Marriage not be invalid even if it is not registered
According to the bill, failure to register a marriage will not be considered void solely on that basis. However, penalties are provided for the registrar who rejects the application without a valid written reason.
Approval for Upgradation of 73 Healthcare Institutions
To ensure easy and equitable access to quality healthcare services for the people of the State, the Cabinet approved Rs 776.13 crore for the upgradation of 73 healthcare institutions, including Sub-Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and Civil Hospitals.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of 1,600 regular posts and 71 contractual posts, along with the engagement of 560 personnel through outsourcing agencies. In addition, it approved an annual recurring expenditure of Rs 122.83 crore for the operation of these upgraded healthcare institutions.
The establishment and upgradation of these healthcare institutions will significantly strengthen the State's healthcare infrastructure and ensure better and more accessible medical services for people living in these areas as well as in the surrounding regions.