2 min readRaipurApr 16, 2026 07:25 AM IST
The Chhattisgarh Cabinet has initiated the process to adopt a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by approving a high-level committee, headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, to prepare a draft of the UCC framework.
An official said, “The committee will consult citizens, legal experts, and stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive draft, which will later be placed before the state Assembly following due legal procedures.”
The move seeks to replace the current system of religion-based personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family matters with a uniform and simplified legal structure, officials said.
A government statement said, “Experts suggest that in a diverse state like Chhattisgarh — home to tribal, rural, and urban communities —a uniform civil code could help reduce legal ambiguities and strengthen social balance. The initiative also holds national significance, as UCC has long been a subject of debate across India.”
Article 44 of the Constitution directs the state to work towards implementing a UCC for all citizens, the statement said, adding that the existence of multiple personal laws creates inequality in legal processes and makes the justice system more complex. The proposed UCC is aimed at simplifying laws to promote religious and gender equality, it said.
The committee will seek suggestions from the public, organisations and experts, and may also invite feedback through a web portal. Based on its recommendations, a draft will be prepared and placed before the Cabinet for approval, after which it will be introduced in the state Assembly to establish a uniform and transparent civil legal framework, it added.
The BJP government in Uttarakhand implemented the UCC in January 2025, becoming the first state in the country to do so. The Gujarat Assembly last month passed a UCC Bill.
