The Assam Cabinet on May 13, 2026, approved the formation of a task force to develop a roadmap for creating two lakh government jobs over the next five years, alongside clearing a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for introduction in the Assembly. The twin decisions, taken at the first cabinet meeting of the new government, underscore the administration’s focus on employment generation and legal reforms.

These significant approvals align with key electoral promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its Sankalp Patra (manifesto) for the recent Assembly elections. The job creation initiative aims to address unemployment among the state’s youth, while the UCC seeks to establish a uniform legal framework for personal matters, a long-debated policy in India.

What was announced

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired the cabinet meeting in Guwahati where the decisions were made. The cabinet gave its nod to constitute a high-level task force, to be headed by the Chief Secretary of Assam, with a mandate to prepare a comprehensive report within three months. This report will detail the modalities for providing two lakh government jobs across various departments, autonomous bodies, semi-government organisations, missions, and societies over the next five years.

Concurrently, the cabinet approved the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which was subsequently introduced in the Assam Legislative Assembly on May 25, 2026, and passed on May 27, 2026. Chief Minister Sarma indicated that the proposed UCC would largely be in sync with similar legislation passed in Uttarakhand, Goa, and Gujarat.

Why it matters

The “Mission 2 Lakh Govt Jobs” initiative holds substantial significance for Assam, where the unemployment rate stood at 3.9 percent in 2023-24, higher than the national average of 3.2 percent, according to the Economic Survey of Assam 2025-26. Urban areas faced greater challenges, with an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent, and urban women being particularly affected at 11.8 percent. The government’s push for large-scale recruitment aims to provide crucial employment opportunities and boost economic security for the state’s youth.

The introduction of the UCC is a landmark move, aiming to replace diverse personal laws with a common legal framework for all citizens in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. Supporters argue it will ensure gender justice and equality before the law. However, the move has also sparked a broader debate about balancing legal uniformity with religious identity and cultural traditions in Assam’s socially layered landscape.

Background

The commitment to generate two lakh government jobs was a prominent feature of the BJP’s election manifesto for the 2026 Assembly elections. During its previous term, the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government had already provided over 1.64 lakh government jobs through transparent recruitment processes, exceeding its initial promise of one lakh jobs. Chief Minister Sarma had often highlighted this achievement as a testament to his government’s focus on merit-based appointments.

The Uniform Civil Code has been a long-standing ideological objective of the BJP, rooted in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which encourages the state to secure a common civil code for all citizens. Chief Minister Sarma had previously asserted in the Assembly on February 26, 2024, that his government would bring the UCC through the “front door.” The move follows similar legislative actions in other BJP-ruled states like Uttarakhand and Gujarat. The Assam government had also moved against polygamy and proposed regulations for live-in relationships prior to the UCC draft.

Key details

The task force for government jobs, led by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, held a detailed review meeting on May 27, 2026, focusing on mapping existing and anticipated vacancies across various government entities. Administrative departments were directed to submit detailed information on vacant posts, including grade-wise and year-wise retirement projections, by June 17, 2026. The plan also includes identifying direct recruitment vacancies and recommending reforms to streamline recruitment processes for transparency and timely appointments.

The Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, as passed by the Assembly on May 27, 2026, targets four core areas: a uniform marriage age, a ban on polygamy, gender-equal inheritance rights, and regulation of live-in relationships. Key provisions include:

  • A uniform minimum marriage age of 18 years for women and 21 years for men.
  • A complete ban on polygamy and bigamy, making it a punishable offence.
  • Mandatory registration of all marriages and divorces within 60 days of solemnisation.
  • Mandatory registration of live-in relationships within 30 days, with children born from such unions considered legitimate. Deserted partners can seek maintenance.
  • Introduction of gender-equal inheritance and succession rights for Class-I heirs (spouse, children, parents).

Crucially, the Bill explicitly exempts Scheduled Tribes (STs) residing in Assam from its ambit to protect their customary laws and traditions.

Reactions

The introduction and passage of the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assam Assembly drew strong criticism from opposition parties. Congress Legislature Party leader Wajed Ali Choudhury termed the legislation a “political stunt” and argued that most of its provisions were already covered under existing laws. He questioned the exclusion of Scheduled Tribes, stating, “how can a law excluding the tribals be called uniform?”

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Mazibur Rahman alleged that the bill targeted Muslim sentiments and could create social and communal divisions. Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi dismissed the bill as a politically motivated move. Opposition members also demanded wider public consultation before the legislation’s passage, citing a 2018 Law Commission recommendation for such discussions.

Conversely, BJP MLA Sushanta Buragohain defended the legislation, stating that a single constitutional framework would protect women’s rights, legally address live-in relationships, and curb practices like polygamy and triple talaq. Chief Minister Sarma reiterated that the UCC would ensure “justice for every citizen” with a special emphasis on the rights of women and children.

What’s next

The task force constituted for the two lakh government jobs is expected to submit its comprehensive report within three months of its formation. This report will lay out the detailed roadmap for recruitment over the next five years, including department-wise planning and strategies. The groundwork for this initiative is already in motion, with departments instructed to submit vacancy data by June 17, 2026.

The Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, having been passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly on May 27, 2026, now awaits assent from the Governor and subsequently the President of India to formally become law.

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