Assam Cabinet approves Rules for compulsory Muslim marriage regis

The Assam government has moved Muslim marriage registration into a compulsory State-run process by approving the Assam Muslim Marriage Registration (Compulsory) Rules, 2026, on Thursday (September 24, 2026).

The Rules operationalise the registration framework under the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Act, 2024.

That 2024 Act had replaced the colonial-era Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, enacted in 1935.

What the new Rules put into effect

The Assam Muslim Marriage Registration (Compulsory) Rules, 2026, make registration of Muslim marriages compulsory in the State.

The earlier 1935 law had provided for voluntary registration, although a 2010 amendment made registration compulsory.

The 2024 legislation followed the Assam government’s decision to repeal the 1935 law.

The government argued that the old framework was outdated and could allow registration of marriages involving minors.

Under the new law, the woman must be at least 18 years old and the man 21 years old at the time of marriage.

The 2024 Act also moved the registration process away from licensed Muslim registrars or qazis and placed it with government registration officials.

This shift makes marriage registration a formal State process.

Documents, notice and objection period

Under the 2024 Act, applications require proof of identity, age, and residence.

Applications must also include declarations by the couple.

The law provides for public notice before registration.

It also provides for a 30-day objection period before registration.

The stated purpose of the 2024 legislation includes compulsory registration and protection of the rights of married Muslim women and men.

The framework also sets conditions relating to legal age, free consent, and prohibited relationships.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the new rules are expected to bring Muslim marriage registration under a more standardised government procedure.

He also said the rules are expected to create a formal documentary record of marriages across the State.

Cabinet announces Arunodoi Puja bonus

The Cabinet also announced a special Puja bonus for beneficiaries of the Arunodoi scheme.

Arunodoi is a social welfare initiative under which money is transferred to the bank account of a nominated female member of each eligible household.

“Arunodoi beneficiaries will receive ₹1,500 in October instead of the regular monthly assistance of ₹1,250,” the Chief Minister said.

“The enhanced payment is being provided ahead of Durga Puja as a special festive-season benefit,” he said.

The Cabinet’s other decisions included providing subsidised sugar and dal at ₹100 in October.

The earlier proposed price for the subsidised sugar and dal was ₹105.

The Cabinet also decided on implementation of the Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation project.

The total estimated cost of the Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation project is ₹796.88 crore.

The decisions were published on September 24, 2026, at 10:34 pm IST.

Source: The Hindu