Uniform Civil Code Rollout Targeted for All 21 NDA-Ruled States by 2029

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)—a common set of personal laws covering marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption—will be introduced in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The declaration was made at a press conference in Mumbai on September 13 2026.

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The UCC has long been a BJP manifesto commitment. Article 44 of the Constitution directs the State to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code, but it remains a Directive Principle, not enforceable by courts.

The Indian Express

State-level legislation began with Uttarakhand, whose assembly passed the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act on 7 February 2024; the Governor’s assent arrived on 28 February 2024, and the code came into force on 27 January 2025. Subsequent bills were passed in Gujarat (March 2026), Assam (27 May 2026) and Madhya Pradesh (July 2026). All four statutes exclude Scheduled Tribes, reflecting constitutional protections for tribal customs.

Uniform Civil Code: Amit Shah targets 2029 rollout across 21 NDA states – Where is UCC already in force?

• Uttarakhand – first state with an operative UCC (January 2025).

Uniform Civil Code: Amit Shah targets 2029 rollout across 21 NDA states – Where is UCC already in force?

• Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh – bills passed, awaiting presidential assent.

Uniform Civil Code: Amit Shah targets 2029 rollout across 21 NDA states – Where is UCC already in force?

• Tribal exemption – all four codes deliberately leave Scheduled Tribes out.

UCC: Amit Shah Sets 2029 Deadline For All 21 NDA-ruled States

• Amit Shah asserted confidence that the UCC, already introduced in several states, will be implemented across all 21 NDA-ruled states before 2029. He linked the initiative to reforms such as the abolition of triple talaq.

Telegraph India

• The Law Commission, constituted by the Modi government, has warned that a nationwide UCC is “neither necessary nor desirable.”

The Indian Express

• Allied parties gave mixed reactions:

UCC in Bihar? JD(U) says no, despite backing Bill in Parliament

• E Shinde, Shiv Sena president, echoed the RSS founder’s vision of “one country, one law.”

The Indian Express

• JD(U) leaders (Sanjay Jha, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary) said the party will review the draft before taking a position.

JD(U) seeks meeting with Amit Shah as UCC rollout plan sparks concern in NDA

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi contended that the UCC targets India’s 18 crore Muslim population and contravenes Articles 25, 14, 26 and 29 of the Constitution. He warned that a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be “100 times worse” than the Assam experience, imposing a bureaucratic burden on the 80 crore citizens who rely on public ration.

‘Misplaced arrogance’: Owaisi hits back at Amit Shah over UCC push in 21 states, says 'NRC will be 100 times worse'

• Allied consensus: While the TDP and Shiv Sena endorsed Shah’s timeline, the JD(U) and some regional partners have not committed, citing the need for broader stakeholder consultation.

The Indian Express

• State count discrepancy: A few outlets refer to “22 NDA-ruled states,” whereas Shah’s statement and most reports specify 21 states. The article notes this variation without selecting a side.

UCC: Amit Shah Sets 2029 Deadline For All 21 NDA-ruled States

• Law Commission stance: The 2018 report’s recommendation against a UCC contrasts with the government’s current push, leaving a policy gap between advisory findings and political action.

The Indian Express