Amit Shah vows Uniform Civil Code in all NDA states before 2029 elections

On September 13, Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a target for every NDA-led state to have a Uniform Civil Code in force before the 2029 general election. Uttarakhand became the first state to implement a tailored UCC after the President approved its draft in early 2025. This year, the BJP-run assemblies of Assam, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh each passed their own UCC bills, mirroring Uttarakhand’s model but with adjustments for local tribal customs; all three are now waiting for presidential endorsement.

The BJP’s broader agenda includes the UCC alongside the Ayodhya temple and the revocation of Article 370, and it appears to be pursuing state-level legislation as the final step. However, coalition partners Janata Dal (United), Telugu Desam Party and Lok Janshakti Party have voiced concerns and plan to discuss the issue with Shah. Regional allies in Nagaland and Meghalaya have publicly rejected the code, citing threats to their distinct cultures. Additional states such as Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh have either tabled bills or are drafting proposals for future adoption.