The West Bengal government has established a nine-member expert committee to examine and draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill [1].
This move signals a significant shift in the state's legal approach to personal laws. By reviewing the draft legislation, the government aims to standardize civil regulations while determining specific exemptions for indigenous and backward communities [5].
The panel is chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai [2]. The announcement of the committee's formation occurred on June 26, 2026 [3]. This body is tasked with ensuring the legislation aligns with the procedural models previously implemented in the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam [4].
According to reports, the legislation may be tabled in the assembly in August 2026 [4]. While some reports suggested the bill could be tabled as early as a Monday, other records indicate the August timeline is more likely [4].
The committee's primary objective is to review the existing draft to ensure it balances the goal of a uniform code with the protection of community-specific rights. The process follows a pattern of state-level initiatives to replace fragmented personal laws, which vary by religion and community, with a single set of laws governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Government officials said the implementation in West Bengal will follow all established procedures to ensure legal validity [3]. The nine-member panel [1] will provide the necessary legal framework before the bill moves toward a formal vote in the legislature.
“The West Bengal government has established a nine-member expert committee to examine and draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.”
The formation of this committee indicates that West Bengal is moving toward a legal framework similar to other Indian states that have adopted the UCC. By utilizing a retired Supreme Court justice and mirroring the processes of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam, the government is attempting to mitigate legal challenges and social friction through a formal, expert-led review process.
