The Assam government has announced a stringent policy making men who practice polygamy ineligible for state-run welfare schemes, a move detailed in the state budget presented on Friday, July 10, 2026. Additionally, government employees found guilty of polygamy could face dismissal from service, with proposed amendments to the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964.

This decision underscores the state’s commitment to women’s empowerment, gender justice, and the promotion of responsible family values, according to state officials. The policy is expected to significantly impact beneficiaries of various government schemes and enforce stricter conduct among public servants.

What was announced

Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, while presenting the 2026-27 state budget in the Assembly on Friday, July 10, 2026, proposed that individuals practicing polygamy would be barred from receiving benefits under any state-run welfare scheme. He emphasized that welfare measures should not only reach the deserving but also enforce “inclusivity, integrity and moral ethos” in society.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma later reinforced the announcement at a press conference, stating that government employees involved in polygamy would face immediate dismissal from their jobs. The government proposes to amend the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, to explicitly provide that any government servant found to have practiced polygamy shall be liable for dismissal from service, in accordance with law.

Why it matters

The policy represents a significant step towards promoting women’s empowerment and gender justice in Assam. Chief Minister Sarma highlighted that the government is committed to discouraging practices that undermine women’s rights. He specified that individuals involved in polygamy would not be eligible for crucial welfare schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, free rice, or the Orunodoi scheme.

For government employees, the proposed amendment to the service rules introduces a severe consequence for polygamy, linking adherence to monogamy with continued public service. This move aims to promote integrity and responsible citizenship among state employees.

Background

The current policy is part of a broader and sustained campaign by the Assam government against polygamy and towards reforming personal laws. In May 2023, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the formation of an expert committee to investigate the state government’s authority to prohibit polygamy under a State Act, rather than through a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Building on these efforts, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, in November 2025. This legislation criminalises entering into a second marriage without legally dissolving the first, prescribing imprisonment of up to seven years and fines for offenders. The law also stipulates that those who conceal an existing marriage before contracting another could face imprisonment extending up to ten years, with enhanced punishment for repeat offenders.

Further, in May 2026, the Assam Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Assam the first state in the Northeast to introduce such a framework. The UCC Bill also bans polygamy and mandates monogamy for all residents under its ambit, while exempting Scheduled Tribes to protect their customary practices. Chief Minister Sarma has previously asserted that “In Islam, monogamy is the rule and polygamy is the exception,” citing interpretations of the Quran and historical accounts to support the state’s stance against multiple marriages.

Key details

The policy, unveiled as part of the 2026-27 State Budget, outlines two primary consequences for men practicing polygamy:

  • Ineligibility for Government Welfare Schemes: Any male found practicing polygamy will not be eligible to avail benefits under any government welfare scheme. This also extends to individuals convicted of any criminal offense.
  • Dismissal from Government Service: The Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, will be amended to ensure that any government servant found to have practiced polygamy shall be liable for dismissal from service.

The government plans to deliver all beneficiary-oriented schemes through a unified digital beneficiary architecture under the Digital Infrastructure for DBT Schemes (DIDS), which will include Aadhaar-based authentication.

What’s next

The proposed amendments to the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, will undergo the necessary legislative process for formal enactment. Further guidelines and official notifications are anticipated to clarify the precise scope of the policy and its implementation mechanisms across various government departments and welfare schemes. The implementation of all welfare schemes, which were stalled due to the process of formation of the new government, is expected to resume from August 2026.

Sources & References

Source: India Today NE