Legislative Background
Assam’s Legislative Push Against Polygamy: The Assam government introduced the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 as part of a broader effort to strengthen women’s rights and ensure uniform legal protections. The bill was tabled on November 25, 2025 by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, marking a major step towards curbing polygamous practices in the state. The government’s earlier statewide survey on polygamy in 2023 highlighted social distress caused to women, leading to a legislative response.
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to prohibit polygamy by imposing criminal penalties for individuals who enter into multiple marriages while a valid legal marriage still exists. It seeks to prevent misuse of personal laws and ensure that women receive legal safeguards in marital relationships. The objective aligns with Assam’s policy direction toward gender equality and legal clarity.
Core Provisions
The bill defines polygamy as marrying another individual while a legal marriage remains undissolved. It introduces a graded punishment system to deter offenders. For a first offence, individuals may face up to 7 years imprisonment along with fines decided by the court. If a person conceals an existing marriage, the punishment may extend to 10 years imprisonment. Repeat offenders will receive double the punishment awarded previously.
The bill also provides for compensation to women who have been victimised.
Static GK fact: Under the Indian Penal Code, bigamy is punishable under Sections 494 and 495, but enforcement varies across states.
Applicability and Exemptions
The law will apply across Assam but excludes certain constitutionally protected regions. It is not applicable in Sixth Schedule areas, including Bodoland Territorial Region, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao. These areas enjoy autonomous governance under the Constitution.
Additionally, Scheduled Tribes listed under Article 342 are exempt to preserve customary practices. The law also covers individuals residing in Assam who marry polygamously outside the state after the bill comes into force.
Static GK Tip: Sixth Schedule areas were created to safeguard tribal administrative autonomy in Northeast India.
Penalties for Abetment
The bill extends criminal liability to individuals who knowingly assist, conceal, or conduct polygamous marriages. Village heads, qazis, parents, or guardians who intentionally support such marriages may face up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 lakh. Those who solemnise an illegal marriage may face up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to ₹1.5 lakh. This widens accountability across the social structure.
Civic Disqualifications
A person convicted under the bill will face civic restrictions, including loss of eligibility for public employment and disqualification from state-funded schemes. They will also be barred from contesting elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. These measures reinforce the seriousness of the offence and aim to deter repeated violations.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Assam’s Legislative Push Against Polygamy:
| Topic | Detail |
| Bill name | The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 |
| Date introduced | November 25, 2025 |
| Introduced by | Himanta Biswa Sarma |
| First offence punishment | Up to 7 years imprisonment |
| Punishment for concealment | Up to 10 years imprisonment |
| Repeat offence | Double the previous punishment |
| Exempted areas | Sixth Schedule areas |
| Exempted communities | Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 |
| Abetment penalty | Up to 2 years imprisonment and fines |
| Civic restrictions | Ineligibility for jobs, schemes, and local elections |
