← All briefs
GS II · Polity and GovernanceTuesday, 30 June 2026· Polity and Governance

West Bengal government to table Uniform Civil Code Bill soon

Why it matters for UPSC

The Uniform Civil Code sits at the intersection of constitutional directives (Article 44), minority rights, tribal protections, and centre-state relations — all core GS II themes. West Bengal tabling a UCC Bill adds a new dimension: state-level UCC legislation following Uttarakhand's precedent, raising questions about legislative competence and federal dynamics. The exclusion of tribal communities echoes debates on cultural rights under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

Key facts

  • West Bengal government plans to table a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state legislature soon.
  • The Bill proposes uniformity in personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
  • Tribal communities are explicitly excluded from the Bill's purview.
  • Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a UCC in 2024, setting the legislative precedent.
  • Article 44 of the Constitution lists UCC as a Directive Principle of State Policy — aspirational but not justiciable.
  • 'Personal laws' fall under the Concurrent List (Entry 5), giving both Centre and states legislative competence.

The Bill aims to bring about uniformity in personal laws, excluding tribal communities.

Concepts to know

Article 44article

A Directive Principle of State Policy directing the State to endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens. It is non-justiciable but fundamental to governance.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)term

A proposed common set of civil laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens irrespective of religion, replacing religion-specific personal laws.

Concurrent Listterm

Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution lists subjects on which both Parliament and State legislatures can legislate; Education (Entry 25) is a Concurrent List subject after the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976, meaning states have a co-equal legislative interest.

Fifth and Sixth Schedulesarticle

Constitutional provisions for administration of Scheduled Tribes in non-northeastern and northeastern areas respectively, granting special protections including customary laws — the basis for excluding tribal communities from UCC Bills.

Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act 2024act

Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to enact a UCC in 2024, setting a legislative precedent for other states considering similar legislation.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)article

Articles 36–51 of the Constitution contain DPSPs — non-enforceable guidelines for the state to achieve socio-economic justice. Article 44 (UCC) falls under this part.

Linked previous-year questions

The UPSC questions this story connects to.

  1. Match List-I (Article of Indian Constitution) with List-II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list: List–I (Article of Indian Constitution) A. Article 16 (2) B. Article 29 (2) C. Article 30 (I) D. Article 31 (I) List–II (Provisions) 1. No person shall be deprived of his property save by the authority of law 2. No person can be discriminated against in the matter of public appointment on the ground of race, religious or caste 3. All minorities whether based on religion or language shall have to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice 4. No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State, or receiving State aid, on grounds of religion, race, caste, language or any of them (a) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1 (b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4 (c) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4 (d) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1

    • a.A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1 ✓
    • b.A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
    • c.A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
    • d.A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
    Polity · UPSC 2002

  2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I (Amendments to the Constitution) List–II A. The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991 1. Establishment of state level Rent Tribunals B. The Constitution (Seventy-fifth Amendment) Act, 1994 2. No reservations for Scheduled Castes in Panchayats in Arunachal Pradesh C. The Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Act, 2000 3. Constitution of Panchayats in Villages or at other local level D. The Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000 4. Accepting the recommendations of the Tenth Finance Commission 5. According the status of National Capital Territory to Delhi (a) A-5, B-1, C-4, D-2 (b) A-1, B-5, C-3, D-4 (c) A-5, B-1, C-3, D-4 (d) A-1, B-5, C-4, D-2

    • a.A-5, B-1, C-4, D-2 ✓
    • b.A-1, B-5, C-3, D-4
    • c.A-5, B-1, C-3, D-4
    • d.A-1, B-5, C-4, D-2
    Polity · UPSC 2001

  3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I (Article of the Constitution) A. Article 54 B. Article 75 C. Article 155 D. Article 164 List–II (Content) 1. Election of the President of India 2. Appointment of the Prime Minister 3. Appointment of the Governor of a State 4. Appointment of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of a State 5. Composition of Legislative Assemblies (a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4 (b) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-5 (c) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-5 (d) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

    • a.A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4 ✓
    • b.A-1, B-2, C-4, D-5
    • c.A-2, B-1, C-3, D-5
    • d.A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
    Polity · UPSC 2001

  4. Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament? 1. Article 109 mentions special procedure in respect of Money Bills. 2. A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States. 3. The Rajya Sabha can either approve the Bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it. 4. Amendments to a Money Bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by the Lok Sabha. Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1, 3 and 4

    • a.1 and 2 only
    • b.2 and 3 only
    • c.1, 2 and 3 ✓
    • d.1, 3 and 4
    Polity · UPSC 2024

  5. Match List I with II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I (Period) List–II (Event) A. 1883 1. Announcement of Communal Award from Whitehall B. 1906 2. Formation of the All India State Peoples Conference C. 1927 3. Foundation of Muslim League at Dacca D. 1932 4. First session of National Conference at Calcutta (a) A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2 (b) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2 (c) A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1 (d) A-3; B-4; C-2; D-1

    • a.A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2
    • b.A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
    • c.A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1 ✓
    • d.A-3; B-4; C-2; D-1
    History · UPSC 1996

  6. Match List I (Articles of the Constitution of India) with List II (Provision) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I A. Article 14 B. Article 15 C. Article 16 D. Article 17 List–II 1. The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex place of birth or any of term. 2. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of laws within the territory of India. 3. 'Untouchability' is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. 4. There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State. (a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3 (b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2 (c) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 (d) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

    • a.A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
    • b.A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
    • c.A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 ✓
    • d.A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
    Polity · UPSC 2004

Get the full brief — free

Every story syllabus-mapped, the exact NCERT page to revise, a daily MCQ quiz and more — start free, no card needed.

Start free →