The West Bengal government has established a nine-member expert committee to review and finalize the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 [1], [2].
This move signals a significant step toward establishing a common civil law framework in the state. By reviewing the draft through a specialized panel, the government seeks to balance legal standardization with the complex social fabric of West Bengal.
The panel is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai [1], [3]. The committee consists of nine members [1] who are tasked with examining the draft UCC Bill in detail [1], [2]. Their primary objective is to submit recommendations that will shape the final version of the legislation [1], [3].
The draft Uniform Civil Code Bill is dated 2026 [2]. The expert committee will evaluate the legal implications of the proposed framework to ensure it meets the state's specific requirements. This process involves a comprehensive study of the draft to determine how a unified civil code would impact various communities, a critical step before the bill moves toward formal adoption.
According to reports, the legislation may be tabled in August [1]. The timeline suggests an accelerated process to move the draft from the review stage to the legislative assembly. The government has not yet released the full list of the other eight members serving alongside Justice Desai.
The committee's findings will determine whether the bill proceeds as written or undergoes significant amendments. The focus remains on creating a cohesive legal structure that governs personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance for all citizens regardless of religion [1], [2].
“The West Bengal government has established a nine-member expert committee to review and finalize the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026.”
The formation of this panel indicates that West Bengal is moving toward a standardized civil law, a move that often triggers intense debate in India due to the intersection of religious personal laws and state legislation. By appointing a retired Supreme Court judge to lead the review, the government is attempting to lend judicial authority and neutrality to a process that is historically politically sensitive.
