BHOPAL/Madhya Pradesh moved a step closer to enacting a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, approved the draft Bill on Sunday. It will be introduced in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly beginning on Monday.
Addressing reporters after the special Cabinet meeting held at the Gond tribal fort in Jagdishpur on the outskirts of the state capital, Yadav described the proposed legislation as a significant step towards women’s empowerment.
He said the law would ensure “equal rights for Ram, Rahim, Ravinder and Robin”.
The Chief Minister said the proposed legislation aimed to guarantee equal rights for every citizen, irrespective of religion.
“Today, the cabinet wholeheartedly and unanimously approved the bill,” he said.
Yadav said the bill reflects the constitutional principle of equality and is rooted in India’s cultural values.
“We have moved forward in this direction, ensuring the bill is ready to be tabled during the monsoon session. For us, equality has always been an integral part of Indian culture and values,” the CM said.
The CM claimed the proposed bill had received overwhelming public support. He said a seven-member committee was formed on April 27 to examine the issue, invite suggestions and study the implementation of the UCC in states where it is already enforced.
According to the CM, the committee received 9.58 lakh suggestions, while the government also gathered public opinions through rallies and the media. He said nearly 3 crore SMSs were received during the consultation process.
He added that 93.54 per cent of respondents supported the implementation of the UCC in the state.
Highlighting responses from the Muslim community, Yadav said 80 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men of the community who participated in the consultation favoured a UCC.
The proposed bill, which exempts Scheduled Tribes, including the Bhil, Gond, Korku, Baiga, Sahariya and Bhariya communities, covers marriage, live-in relationships, adoption and inheritance. It also outlaws verbal, unilateral and informal divorces, making them punishable offences.
Yadav said that the legislation provides for equal legal status for all children born through marriage, live-in relationships, adoption, surrogacy, and ART (assisted reproductive technology).
The marriageable age for men is 21, and for women 18, he said, adding that marriage registration is mandatory under the UCC.
Among the key legislations cleared were the Madhya Pradesh Repeal Bill, 2026, Madhya Pradesh Highways (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Madhya Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Bill, 2026, Madhya Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment and Operation) Amendment Bill, 2026, Madhya Pradesh Dhanvantari Health University Bill, 2026, Madhya Pradesh Medical Sciences University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Madhya Pradesh Code on Empowering Workspaces, 2026 (Labour Code), and the Madhya Pradesh Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026.