Madhya Pradesh Forms Panel, Sets 60-Day Deadline For UCC Draft Preparation

The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has taken a significant step toward implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by setting a 60-day deadline for a high-level committee to prepare a draft Bill and detailed report. The move comes shortly after similar efforts were initiated in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, signalling a coordinated push by BJP-ruled states toward civil law reform.

The committee has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within two months, with the government outlining an ambitious timeline to introduce and potentially implement the law by Diwali 2026. Officials describe the initiative as part of a broader effort to harmonise personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance across communities, while ensuring legal uniformity and equality.

The six-member panel will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who also chairs similar UCC drafting committees in other BJP-ruled states. She previously led panels involved in UCC-related consultations in Uttarakhand and Gujarat, giving her significant experience in examining civil code frameworks. The committee also includes retired bureaucrats, legal experts, academicians, and a serving state official as secretary.

Also Read: Maharashtra Fixes April 30 Deadline For Ladki Bahin e-KYC, 26 Lakh Yet To Verify

As part of its mandate, the panel will examine a wide range of personal laws, including those related to marriage systems, divorce or separation procedures, maintenance rights, succession laws, and other family-related legal frameworks. A key focus area will be live-in relationships, with the committee expected to suggest provisions for registration, legal rights, and obligations arising from such arrangements, which remain socially and legally sensitive in India.

The panel has also been directed to conduct public consultations through Jan Sunwais, allowing citizens, religious organisations, legal experts, and civil society groups to present suggestions and concerns. In addition, it will study existing UCC models implemented or drafted in states such as Uttarakhand and Gujarat to understand their legal structure, execution methods, and challenges before preparing Madhya Pradesh’s version.

However, the proposed reform faces significant complexity due to the state’s large tribal population, which accounts for around 21% of Madhya Pradesh’s residents. Many tribal communities follow distinct customary practices related to marriage and inheritance, such as the Dapa system and traditional elopement-based unions like Bhageli or Lamsena. Authorities are reportedly considering whether Scheduled Tribes may be exempted from the proposed law, similar to provisions in other states. These issues are expected to be central to debates as the draft UCC takes shape over the coming months.

Also Read: Trump Sets 3–5 Day Deadline For Iran To Respond On Peace Talks Amid Ceasefire Tensions