West Bengal Forms Expert Committee to Review UCC Bill 2026

West Bengal Cabinet Approves Expert Panel for Uniform Civil Code Review

The West Bengal government, headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has established a nine-member expert committee to scrutinise the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. Cabinet approval occurred on July 2, 2026, followed by an official notification on July 11, 2026. This marks a decisive shift in the state's approach to personal laws governing marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance.

Committee Leadership and Four-Week Mandate

Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai chairs the committee. The panel must examine the draft titled "The Uniform Civil Code, West Bengal, 2026" and deliver recommendations within four weeks. The legislation is scheduled for introduction in the August 2026 Assembly session, aligning with the state's accelerated timeline for policy implementation.

Article 44 and Constitutional Directive Principles

Article 44 of the Indian Constitution states: "The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India." West Bengal's initiative operationalises this longstanding directive principle at the state level. The move reflects evolving governance priorities that prioritise standardisation of civil laws across communities while operating within India's federal constitutional framework.

State-Level Adoption Trends Since 2014

Three states have already enacted UCC legislation since 2014: Uttarakhand became the first in 2024, followed by Gujarat and Assam in 2025. West Bengal now becomes the fourth BJP-ruled state to advance the measure and the first eastern state to initiate formal examination. This pattern demonstrates increasing state-level momentum independent of central legislation.

Implications for West Bengal's Diverse Population

West Bengal's demographic composition includes substantial Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and tribal communities with distinct personal law traditions. Standardisation of marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance rules could affect inheritance rights, family dispute resolution, and gender equity provisions across these groups. The expert committee's recommendations will determine how these changes balance uniformity with existing community practices.

Federal Structure and Governance Shifts

Previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress administrations maintained different positions on UCC implementation. The current government's approach signals a reconfiguration of state policy priorities within India's federal system. Four states now advancing UCC legislation illustrate how directive principles are being pursued through state legislative action, potentially influencing inter-state coordination on civil law matters and centre-state relations.