West Bengal Government to Introduce Uniform Civil Code Bill; Supreme Court Retired Judge Leads Committee

West Bengal's government has announced plans to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, positioning itself as the second state after Uttarakhand to enact comprehensive UCC legislation. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, retired Supreme Court judge, leads a constitutional committee tasked with studying the state's family laws and submitting recommendations within four weeks. Critically, tribal communities will be statutorily excluded from UCC's purview, respecting tribal customary laws and constitutional protections under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

Background: Uniform Civil Code remains deeply contested in Indian constitutional jurisprudence. Article 44 of the Constitution lists UCC as a Directive Principle but not fundamental right. Uttarakhand enacted UCC in 2024; several BJP-governed states have proposed versions. Personal law in India remains fragmented across religious communities (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi, Jewish). The inclusion of a retired Supreme Court judge lends constitutional legitimacy while the tribal exclusion reflects constitutional federalism and protection of indigenous customary law.

Key Facts: Four-week committee deadline; tribal exclusion maintained; supreme court judge-led inquiry; state-level legislation (not national); family law harmonization focus.

Why It Matters: Constitutional significance of UCC implementation; personal law reform; gender equality in matrimonial/succession matters; federalism and minority rights balance.

Exam Angle: Constitutional law (Article 44, Fifth/Sixth Schedules), personal law, directive principles, federalism, gender justice, minority rights. UPSC Mains GS-II and Constitutional History.