Assam to Introduce Mandatory 6-Month Marriage Notice Law in April 2025

Guwahati, August 28, 2024: In April 2025, Assam will implement a law requiring couples to submit a six-month notice before marriage. This announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assam Assembly yesterday. He emphasized that marriage, a respected and legally recognized institution, is losing its dignity due to elopements.

The new legislation aims to protect the sanctity of marriage by mandating prior registration or notification. Sarma expressed concerns over couples meeting on social media, changing their identities, and falling in love, which he believes undermines the institution of marriage.

He stated that the sanctity of marriage is being eroded by individuals who deceive others by altering their names on social media. “Marriage must occur in a structured, institutional manner,” Sarma said, adding that while he refrains from using the term “Love Jihad,” the current trend in marriages cannot form the basis of a prosperous family.

Sarma underscored the importance of maintaining the dignity of marriage for a prosperous family life. He asserted that when individuals disrupt this decorum, their marriages cannot be legally recognized. To address this, the government will introduce a law in April 2025 requiring couples to submit a notice six months before their wedding. “We need your support to uphold the integrity of marriage,” Sarma concluded in his assembly speech.

Also read: Himanta Biswa Sarma: Assam Will Not Become a Stronghold for ‘Miya’ Muslims