The Assam government announced on Friday that state government employees found to be practising polygamy will face dismissal from service, reinforcing its stringent stance against the practice. This directive was highlighted during the presentation of the state budget for 2026-27 by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah.
The move is part of the government’s broader initiative to promote women’s empowerment and gender justice, and to link eligibility for state welfare schemes with adherence to social reforms. Additionally, individuals with criminal antecedents will also be ineligible for government benefits.
What was announced
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on Friday that government employees engaging in polygamy would be dismissed from their positions. The Chief Minister made these remarks following the presentation of the state budget by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah.
During his budget speech, Finance Minister Baruah proposed amending the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, to ensure that any government servant found practising polygamy would be liable for dismissal. He also stated that men practising polygamy would not be eligible to avail benefits under any government welfare scheme.
Chief Minister Sarma further announced that all government welfare schemes, which were temporarily halted due to the election process, would resume from August 2026.
Why it matters
This policy signifies a significant escalation in the Assam government’s efforts to curb polygamy within the state. By directly linking employment and welfare benefits to marital conduct, the government aims to create a strong deterrent against the practice.
The decision impacts all government employees in Assam, irrespective of their personal laws, and extends the state’s anti-polygamy drive beyond legislative measures to administrative action. Finance Minister Baruah emphasised that these measures are designed to promote “women’s empowerment and gender justice” and enforce “inclusivity, integrity and moral ethos” in society.
The resumption of welfare schemes from August, with an allocation of over Rs 6,000 crore for beneficiary-oriented programmes, underscores the government’s dual approach of social reform and public welfare.
Background
The Assam government has been actively pursuing measures to prohibit polygamy for some time. In September 2023, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the formation of a committee to examine the state legislature’s competence to enact a law against polygamy. This committee, headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Rumi Phookan, concluded that the state government possessed the legislative authority to ban polygamy.
Public feedback on the proposed law was overwhelmingly positive, with 146 out of 149 individuals and organisations supporting the government’s stance.
Prior to the latest announcement, the state government had already reiterated in October 2023 that government employees are prohibited from entering a second marriage without official permission, citing Rule 26 of The Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965. Chief Minister Sarma had clarified that this rule, though existing for decades, would now be strictly enforced.
On July 9, 2026, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed “The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025,” which criminalises polygamous marriages. The Bill stipulates imprisonment of up to seven years for entering a second marriage without legally dissolving the first, and up to 10 years for concealing an existing marriage. Repeat offenders face double the punishment. This legislation also makes individuals convicted under the anti-polygamy law ineligible for government-funded jobs and welfare benefits.
The law, however, includes exemptions for Sixth Schedule areas and members of Scheduled Tribes, as defined under the Constitution.
Key details
The policy announced by the Assam government on Friday includes several key provisions:
- Government employees found practising polygamy will face immediate dismissal from service.
- Individuals engaging in polygamy will be barred from receiving benefits under any state-run welfare schemes.
- The Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, are proposed to be amended to formalise the dismissal penalty for polygamy.
- Those with criminal antecedents will also be ineligible for government welfare schemes and benefits.
- The basket of welfare schemes, including the flagship Orunodoi scheme, will resume disbursements from August 2026, with over Rs 6,000 crore allocated for these programmes.
What’s next
The proposed amendments to the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, are expected to be formalised to implement the dismissal policy for government employees. The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, having been passed by the Assembly, will now move towards full implementation across the state, excluding specified tribal areas.
Citizens and government employees are advised to note the resumption of various welfare schemes from August 2026, which will be subject to the new eligibility criteria concerning polygamy and criminal records.