The Assam cabinet has approved "The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025," which aims to outlaw the practice of polygamy in the state. The bill is scheduled to be tabled in the Assam Assembly on November 25.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the bill, once passed, will make polygamy a punishable offense, with convicts facing rigorous imprisonment for up to seven years. Furthermore, the government plans to establish a fund to compensate women who are victims of polygamy, providing them with financial assistance to ensure they do not face hardship.

The proposed law defines polygamy as marriage by a person who has a living spouse or who is not legally separated from another spouse through due legal procedure, or who is party to a marriage that has not been dissolved or annulled by a divorce decree. The bill stipulates that those concealing a previous marriage may face imprisonment for up to ten years, while abettors, including Kazis, priests, or guardians, could face up to two years in prison.

While the bill aims to eliminate polygamy, there may be some exceptions for the Sixth Schedule areas. Additionally, the bill will not apply to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and will not be immediately applicable in the six Scheduled Areas of Assam. According to Sarma, certain exemptions will apply in cases involving minority Muslim residents in Scheduled Areas before 2005.

The Assam government views the bill as a significant step towards social reform and women's empowerment. The Chief Minister has stated that polygamy will no longer be tolerated in the state. The bill makes the offense non-cognizable, meaning that those arrested under its provisions will not get bail immediately.

In a related development, the Assam cabinet has also approved the Assam Startup and Innovation Policy 2025–30, with a total financial outlay of Rs 397 crore over the five-year period. This policy aims to position Assam as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.