The Maharashtra government will set up a committee within two weeks to draft legislation for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a state official confirmed on 3 July 2026.
Panel formation timeline confirmed
"The committee to draft the legislation for the Uniform Civil Code is in process and will be set up within two weeks," the official said. The announcement comes amid ongoing debates across India regarding the implementation of a uniform legal framework for personal laws.
Scope and mandate of the committee
The panel will be tasked with examining existing personal laws and proposing a draft that aligns with the constitutional directive for a Uniform Civil Code under Article 44. The committee is expected to consult legal experts, religious leaders, and civil society groups before finalizing its recommendations.
Political context and reactions
Maharashtra's move follows similar initiatives in other states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. The UCC has been a long-standing promise of the ruling party at the national level. Opposition parties have expressed concerns about the potential impact on minority communities and the diversity of personal laws.
Next steps and timeline
Once formed, the committee is expected to submit its draft within a stipulated timeframe. The state government will then table the legislation in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for debate and approval. No specific deadline for the final law has been announced yet.
