Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that BJP-led NDA governments will introduce the Uniform Civil Code in all 21 states they govern before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Shah made this statement while reviewing the central government’s record and the party’s 25-year journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He framed the rollout as part of a wider agenda that includes the abrogation of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Uttarakhand implemented a comprehensive UCC framework in 2024, while Gujarat and Assam have moved to adopt similar codes, and Goa retains a separate common civil code from the Portuguese era. The uniform code would replace distinct personal laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption with a single set of rules for all citizens in a given state. While the BJP argues the code promotes gender equality and national integration, opposition parties and minority organizations criticize it for threatening protected religious and customary practices.
Legal experts note the implementation will likely face court challenges concerning religious freedom under Article 25. Several NDA-ruled states have not yet indicated concrete timelines for drafting or introducing the legislation, and practical rollouts are expected to vary based on local political and legal considerations.