Jaipur, Aug. 22 -- The Rajasthan government on Friday introduced the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, proposing a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, wills and live-in relationships. The 399-page Bill, comprising 403 clauses, seeks to replace inconsistent laws, customs and practices relating to these subjects. The proposed Code will apply across Rajasthan and to Rajasthan residents living outside the state. However, Scheduled Tribes covered under the Constitution and certain groups enjoying constitutionally protected customary rights have been kept outside its ambit. The provisions will come into force only from a date notified by the state government. The Bill prescribes uniform conditions for marriage. Neither party can already have a living spouse and the minimum marriageable age remains 21 years for men and 18 years for women. It permits marriages according to recognised religious and customary ceremonies while making their registration compulsory. For marriages after commencement of the Code, the registration memorandum generally has to be submitted within 60 days. Failure to submit a compulsory memorandum can attract a penalty of up to Rs.10,000, while continued failure after notice can lead to a penalty of up to Rs.25,000. The Bill also provides for a registrar general and local registrars and permits the government to establish electronic registers and web portals for registration. The Bill lays down common grounds for divorce, including adultery, cruelty, desertion for two years, conversion, specified mental or physical conditions, renunciation of the world, disappearance for seven years and violation of maintenance orders. It also provides for divorce by mutual consent where the couple has lived separately for at least one year and mutually agrees to end the marriage. Courts can waive the waiting requirements in cases of exceptional hardship or depravity. The Bill provides for maintenance during matrimonial proceedings and permanent alimony, taking into account the income, property and circumstances of both spouses. Mahr, dower, streedhan and property belonging to the wife are protected in addition to maintenance. The succession provisions establish a common system for people dying without a will. Class-I heirs include sons, daughters, spouses and parents, along with specified descendants of predeceased children. Every surviving spouse and child is entitled to a share under the prescribed formula, while the parents together constitute one share. The Bill also contains provisions on wills, probate and administration of estates. A person of sound mind who is not a minor can make a will, while a will obtained through fraud, coercion or undue influence is declared void. A person who murders or abets the murder of another is disqualified from inheriting from the deceased. Disease, disability or deformity alone cannot disqualify a person from succession. The Bill's most significant new provision is a separate statutory framework for live-in relationships. It defines such a relationship as a man and woman living together in a shared household in the nature of marriage. Partners will be required to submit a jointly signed statement to the registrar. The Bill also provides for registration of termination of such relationships. Children born from a live-in relationship will be treated as legitimate children of the couple. Non-compliance carries penalties. Continuing a live-in relationship for more than one month without submitting the required statement can attract imprisonment of up to three months and/or a fine of up to Rs.10,000. False information can attract up to three months' imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs.25,000. Failure to comply even after a registrar's notice can attract up to six months' imprisonment and fine up to Rs.25,000. It also provides stringent punishment where consent to a live-in relationship is obtained through force, coercion or fraud. A woman deserted by her partner can approach a competent court for maintenance, with the matrimonial maintenance provisions applying with necessary modifications....