Madhya Pradesh UCC Draft Proposes Mandatory Registration Of Live-In Relationships, Cancellation Upon Separation

Published 15 July 2026 · india

Madhya Pradesh UCC Draft Proposes Mandatory Registration Of Live-In Relationships, Cancellation Upon Separation Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 09:17 IST Madhya Pradesh's UCC

Madhya Pradesh UCC Draft Proposes Mandatory Registration Of Live-In Relationships, Cancellation Upon Separation Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 09:17 IST Madhya Pradesh's UCC draft proposes mandatory registration of live-in relationships, inheritance law changes and maintenance rights. Madhya Pradesh's proposed Uniform Civil Code seeks mandatory registration of live-in relationships, introduces maintenance provisions and proposes changes to inheritance laws (Photo: AI generated/News18) The Madhya Pradesh government’s proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) seeks to make the registration of live-in relationships mandatory, with non-compliance punishable by imprisonment of up to three months, according to a report by The Times of India. The draft legislation, which is likely to be introduced during the state’s Monsoon Session beginning July 20, also proposes changes to inheritance laws, maintenance rights and the legal framework governing live-in relationships. According to the report, the committee constituted to draft the UCC has submitted its final report to the state government, and a special Cabinet meeting has been scheduled for July 19 before the Bill is tabled in the Assembly. MANDATORY REGISTRATION FOR LIVE-IN COUPLES As per the draft, couples entering into a live-in relationship will be required to register the relationship with the registrar of the district in which they reside.

If the relationship ends, the registration must also be formally cancelled. The proposed law states that failure to register a live-in relationship could attract a jail term of up to three months. The draft further proposes that parents of individuals entering a live-in relationship be informed of their relationship status. It also provides that local police stations will maintain records of all registered live-in couples within their respective jurisdictions, the report mentioned. NEIGHBOURS, LANDLORDS CAN REPORT UNREGISTERED LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIPS The report states that another provision in the draft empowers any person, including neighbours and landlords of the rented accommodation where the couple resides, to report an unregistered live-in relationship to the authorities. The proposed code also seeks to provide legal protection to women in such relationships. If a man abandons his live-in partner, he would be liable to provide maintenance to her under the draft provisions. The draft UCC also recommends significant changes to succession and inheritance rules. At present, a deceased man’s property is generally inherited by his wife, children and mother. However, the proposed code seeks to include the father as a legal heir, making him eligible for a share in the property.