Assam government employees practising polygamy to lose jobs, face ban on future recruitment

The Assam government has tightened disciplinary action against government employees practising polygamy, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing that those found guilty will face termination from service and will also be barred from applying for government jobs in the future.

Sarma made the announcement on November 3, outlining the decision taken by the state Cabinet. The government has amended the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, by inserting Clause 6 under Rule 7 to provide for stricter action against employees found practising polygamy.

Under the amended provision, government employees found engaging in polygamy will face dismissal from service. They will also be disqualified from applying for future government employment, the Chief Minister said.

The latest decision builds on the Assam government's earlier efforts to restrict multiple marriages among its employees. In October 2023, the state government issued an order reiterating that no government servant could enter into another marriage while their spouse was alive without obtaining prior permission from the government, even if the employee's personal law permitted such a marriage.

The directive was issued under Rule 26 of the Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965. It also covered female government employees marrying men whose spouses were still alive. Violations could invite departmental proceedings and major penalties, including compulsory retirement.

The issue returned to the spotlight during the presentation of the Assam Budget for 2026-27 on July 10. Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah had proposed amending the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, to make government servants found practising polygamy liable for dismissal from service.

The Budget had also proposed making men practising polygamy ineligible for benefits under notified government welfare schemes. The government said the measures were aimed at promoting women's empowerment and gender justice.

With the latest amendment, the Assam government has moved from its earlier restrictions on second marriages among government employees to prescribing dismissal and disqualification from future government employment for those found practising polygamy.