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GS II · Polity and GovernanceSunday, 12 July 2026· Polity and Governance

West Bengal government forms committee to review draft UCC

Why it matters for UPSC

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is explicitly mentioned in Article 44 of the Constitution as a Directive Principle of State Policy, making it a core GS II topic. West Bengal forming its own state-level committee to draft a UCC raises important questions about Centre-State dynamics and legislative competence under the Seventh Schedule. This development also has implications for secularism, minority rights, and the ongoing national debate around UCC following Uttarakhand's enactment.

Key facts

  • West Bengal government constituted a high-level committee to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state.
  • The committee is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
  • This is a state-level UCC initiative, distinct from the Central Government's Law Commission consultations.
  • Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a UCC in 2024.
  • UCC is enshrined as a Directive Principle under Article 44 of the Constitution.
  • 'Marriage, divorce, inheritance and succession' fall under the Concurrent List (Entry 5), allowing states to legislate on personal law matters.

The West Bengal government has constituted a high-level committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the State.

Concepts to know

Article 44article

A Directive Principle of State Policy directing the State to endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens. It is non-justiciable but fundamental to governance.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)term

A proposed common set of civil laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens irrespective of religion, replacing religion-specific personal laws.

Seventh Schedulearticle

Divides legislative subjects between Union, State, and Concurrent Lists. Personal law matters like marriage and succession appear in the Concurrent List, meaning both Parliament and state legislatures can legislate, with Parliamentary law prevailing in case of conflict.

Directive Principles of State Policyarticle

Enshrined in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Constitution, DPSPs are non-justiciable guidelines for state policy aimed at achieving socio-economic justice and welfare.

Law Commission of Indiainstitution

A statutory body that provides recommendations on law reforms. The 22nd Law Commission had invited public and religious organisations' views on UCC, making it relevant to this debate.

Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act 2024act

Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to enact a UCC in 2024, setting a legislative precedent for other states considering similar legislation.

Linked previous-year questions

The UPSC questions this story connects to.

  1. Consider the following statements: In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee 1. Is constituted under the provisions of the constitution of India. 2. Prepares the draft development plans for the metropolitan area. 3. Has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

    • a.1 and 2 only ✓
    • b.2 only
    • c.1 and 3 only
    • d.1, 2 and 3
    Polity · UPSC 2011

  2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I List–II A. Butler Committee 1. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre B. Hurtog Committee Report 2. Relationship between the Indian State and the Paramount Power C. Hunter Inquiry Committee 3. Working of Dyarchy as laid down in the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms Report. D. Muddiman Committee Report 4. The growth of education potentialities of its further progress (a) A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4 (b) A-1; B-4; C-2; D-3 (c) A-2; B-1; C-3; D-4 (d) A-2; B-4; C-1; D-3

    • a.A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4
    • b.A-1; B-4; C-2; D-3
    • c.A-2; B-1; C-3; D-4
    • d.A-2; B-4; C-1; D-3 ✓
    History · UPSC 1997

  3. Match List I with II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I (Period) List–II (Event) A. 1883 1. Announcement of Communal Award from Whitehall B. 1906 2. Formation of the All India State Peoples Conference C. 1927 3. Foundation of Muslim League at Dacca D. 1932 4. First session of National Conference at Calcutta (a) A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2 (b) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2 (c) A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1 (d) A-3; B-4; C-2; D-1

    • a.A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2
    • b.A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
    • c.A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1 ✓
    • d.A-3; B-4; C-2; D-1
    History · UPSC 1996

  4. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I (Amendments to the Constitution) List–II A. The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991 1. Establishment of state level Rent Tribunals B. The Constitution (Seventy-fifth Amendment) Act, 1994 2. No reservations for Scheduled Castes in Panchayats in Arunachal Pradesh C. The Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Act, 2000 3. Constitution of Panchayats in Villages or at other local level D. The Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000 4. Accepting the recommendations of the Tenth Finance Commission 5. According the status of National Capital Territory to Delhi (a) A-5, B-1, C-4, D-2 (b) A-1, B-5, C-3, D-4 (c) A-5, B-1, C-3, D-4 (d) A-1, B-5, C-4, D-2

    • a.A-5, B-1, C-4, D-2 ✓
    • b.A-1, B-5, C-3, D-4
    • c.A-5, B-1, C-3, D-4
    • d.A-1, B-5, C-4, D-2
    Polity · UPSC 2001

  5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I (Article of the Constitution) A. Article 54 B. Article 75 C. Article 155 D. Article 164 List–II (Content) 1. Election of the President of India 2. Appointment of the Prime Minister 3. Appointment of the Governor of a State 4. Appointment of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of a State 5. Composition of Legislative Assemblies (a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4 (b) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-5 (c) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-5 (d) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

    • a.A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4 ✓
    • b.A-1, B-2, C-4, D-5
    • c.A-2, B-1, C-3, D-5
    • d.A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
    Polity · UPSC 2001

  6. According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament which of the following? 1. The Recommendation of the Union Finance Commission. 2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee. 3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. 4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    • a.1 only
    • b.2 and 4 only
    • c.1, 3 and 4 only ✓
    • d.1, 2, 3 and 4
    Polity · UPSC 2012

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