West Bengal Moves Ahead with Uniform Civil Code: Draft Bill, Key Provisions, Exemptions, and Legislative Roadmap

KalimNews, June 29, 2026, Kolkata: The West Bengal government has initiated the process of introducing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marking one of the most significant legal reform proposals in the state's recent history. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced in the Legislative Assembly on June 29, 2026, that the State Cabinet is expected to grant in-principle approval to the draft legislation on July 2, following which it will be examined by a high-level committee before being introduced in the Assembly during its Au

gust session.

The proposal fulfils a major commitment made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its 2026 Assembly election manifesto, which pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code within six months of assuming office. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also highlighted the promise extensively during the election campaign.

What is the Uniform Civil Code?

The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish one common set of civil laws governing personal matters for all citizens, irrespective of religion. It proposes replacing religion-specific personal laws with a single legal framework while protecting constitutionally recognised exemptions for certain communities.

The proposed legislation covers civil matters only and does not deal with criminal law.

Matters Covered Under the Proposed UCC

The draft legislation is expected to regulate several important aspects of family and civil life, including:

Marriage

Uniform legal marriageable age:
- 21 years for men.
- 18 years for women.
Mandatory registration of every marriage.
Equal legal standards for marriages across all communities covered under the Act.

Divorce

Uniform procedures for dissolution of marriage.
Equal rights and responsibilities for both spouses.
Standardised legal remedies irrespective of religion.

Adoption

Common legal framework governing adoption.
Equal adoption rights under one civil law.

Inheritance and Succession

The proposed law seeks to replace different religious inheritance laws with uniform provisions covering:

Property inheritance.
Succession after death.
Rights of spouses.
Rights of sons and daughters.
Rights of parents.
Gender-neutral succession principles.

Maintenance and Family Rights

The legislation aims to provide equal legal protections concerning:

Maintenance obligations.
Family responsibilities.
Spousal rights.
Children's legal protections.

Live-in Relationships

One of the notable features of the proposed legislation is the regulation of live-in relationships.

The draft proposes:

Mandatory registration of live-in relationships.
Legal recognition through registration.
Penalties for failure to register where required under the Act.

Polygamy

The proposed UCC seeks to prohibit:

Bigamy.
Polygamy.

The objective is to establish one uniform marital standard applicable to all persons covered by the legislation.

Who Will Be Exempted?

The West Bengal government has clarified that several constitutionally protected communities will remain outside the scope of the proposed Uniform Civil Code in order to preserve their customary traditions and legal practices.

The proposed exemptions include:

Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis)

All recognised Scheduled Tribes and Adivasi communities will remain exempt from the proposed law.

Indigenous Communities

Recognised indigenous communities with traditional customary practices will continue to be governed by their existing customs.

Kurmi Community

The Kurmi community has specifically been identified among those proposed to remain outside the ambit of the legislation.

Other Recognised Ancient Ethnic Communities

Other recognised ancient tribal and indigenous communities enjoying constitutional protection will also remain exempt.

The government has stated that these exemptions are intended to safeguard traditional customs, cultural identity, and constitutionally recognised community rights.

Who Will Be Covered?

Subject to the final provisions of the legislation, the Uniform Civil Code would apply to all other citizens residing in West Bengal who are not covered by the exempted categories.

Since Scheduled Tribes and certain indigenous communities are excluded, the law is expected to primarily affect communities presently governed by religion-specific personal laws, including those relating to Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi and other personal law systems, wherever applicable under the final legislation.

High-Level Committee to Examine the Draft

Before the Bill is introduced in the Assembly, the government has constituted a high-level committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

The committee also includes:

One retired IAS officer.
One legal expert.
One educationist.
One social worker.
One Additional Secretary of the State Government, who will serve as the committee's administrative secretary.

The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive examination of family laws in the state, consulting stakeholders where necessary, and submitting its recommendations within four weeks.

Legislative Timeline

According to the government's announced roadmap:

July 2, 2026: State Cabinet to consider in-principle approval of the draft UCC.
Following four weeks: Review by the Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee.
August 2026: Introduction of the revised Bill in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly after incorporating the committee's recommendations.

Model Followed by West Bengal

The Chief Minister stated that the proposed legislation draws inspiration from the Uniform Civil Code frameworks adopted by states such as Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam, while incorporating constitutional safeguards for tribal and indigenous communities.

Objective of the Proposed Law

According to the state government, the principal objective of the Uniform Civil Code is to establish a common civil legal framework for matters relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, adoption and family rights, ensuring equal treatment under one law while preserving constitutionally protected customary practices of exempted communities.

The final scope and provisions of the Uniform Civil Code will depend on the recommendations of the high-level committee and the version of the Bill ultimately passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembl