Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Shah made the statement in Mumbai on September 13, saying he was confident that the remaining NDA-ruled states would also introduce the UCC within the deadline.
The UCC aims to establish a common set of personal laws for citizens, particularly in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption. Uttarakhand became the first state to bring its UCC into force in January 2025, while states including Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh have also moved forward with UCC legislation.
Shah’s announcement puts a clear 2029 target on one of the BJP’s long-standing policy goals. However, each state will have to complete its own legislative and administrative process, including rules and implementation mechanisms. The issue is also likely to remain a major subject of political and legal debate, particularly over tribal customary laws, state-specific provisions and how different state UCCs would work together.
