Following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the Modi government has set its sights on implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across India, making it a top priority.

The 23rd Law Commission, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, has been tasked with preparing a draft for the UCC, a long-standing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promise aimed at establishing a common set of personal laws for all citizens, regardless of religion, covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.

In a historic speech on April 14, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the UCC as a “secular civil code,” emphasizing its role in promoting equality and national unity while criticizing the Congress party for its failure to act on Article 44 of the Constitution, which calls for a UCC. Modi’s remarks echo his praise for Uttarakhand’s UCC, implemented in January 2025, which bans practices like polygamy and mandates marriage registration, serving as a potential template.

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The 23rd Law Commission, constituted in September 2024 for a three-year term, inherits the work of the 22nd Commission, which held 70 public meetings and drafted a 749-page report on the UCC before its term ended in August 2024 due to a leadership vacancy. The new panel is expected to review these consultations and address concerns about cultural diversity and gender equality.

Opposition parties, including Congress and TMC, have urged a nuanced approach, warning against undermining India’s pluralism. With the UCC draft still in preparation, its implementation remains a contentious issue, balancing secular reform with religious sensitivities.

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