The West Bengal government has established a nine-member expert panel to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code bill [1].
This move signals a significant shift toward creating a standardized legal framework for personal civil matters across the state. By reviewing the draft before it reaches the legislature, the government aims to address the complexities of personal laws that currently vary by religion and community.
The panel is chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a retired Supreme Court judge [2]. The group of nine experts [1] will analyze the draft legislation to ensure it meets legal and social requirements before it is formally introduced to lawmakers.
Government sources said that the legislation is likely to be tabled during the August 2026 assembly session [1]. The process involves a detailed review of the draft to determine how a uniform code would impact the state's diverse population in Kolkata and beyond [2].
The initiative seeks to replace disparate personal laws with a single set of rules governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. This transition is intended to create a uniform legal environment for all citizens regardless of their faith [1].
Because the panel was formed in July 2026, the experts have a narrow window to complete their review before the August 2026 session begins [1]. The findings of Justice Desai and her team will likely shape the final version of the bill that the assembly will debate.
“The West Bengal government has established a nine-member expert panel to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code bill.”
The formation of this panel suggests the West Bengal government is accelerating its efforts to implement a Uniform Civil Code, a historically contentious issue in India. By appointing a retired Supreme Court judge to lead the review, the administration is attempting to lend judicial credibility and legal rigor to the bill to preempt potential constitutional challenges before the August assembly session.
