Rajasthan forms UCC drafting panel led by ex-SC judge; public consultations planned
Rajasthan has formed a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai to draft a Uniform Civil Code covering issues like marriage, divorce and inheritance
The Rajasthan government has constituted a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code, 2026 (RUCC). The proposed framework is reportedly expected to cover marriage, divorce, prohibition of polygamy, mandatory registration of live-in relationships, and equal inheritance rights in ancestral property for men and women.
Panel to draft UCC
The announcement was made on Tuesday (June 22) by Parliamentary Affairs, Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham during a press conference. The Additional Chief Secretary (Home) will serve as the Member-Secretary of the committee.
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Apart from Justice (retd) Desai, the five-member panel includes retired IAS officer Shatrughna Singh, Rajasthan High Court Additional Advocate General Basant Singh Chhaba, former Government Law College (Ganganagar) principal Ramswaroop Agarwal, and Dr Shuchi Chauhan, reported Live Law.
State Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham said the Justice (retd) Desai-led panel will hold public consultations at the divisional level and seek suggestions through a website to ensure the proposed legislation is inclusive and transparent. He added that tribal communities would remain outside the scope of the proposed framework.
Public consultations planned
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, officials said the proposed legislation aims to “eliminate disparities” and promote “gender equality” by ensuring equal rights.
The committee will also gather public feedback through a dedicated online platform before submitting its recommendations. The state government approved the formation of the panel on April 14, at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.
Fifth BJP state to act
Rajasthan has become the fifth BJP-ruled state in the past two years to initiate the process of introducing a UCC. Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a UCC law in February 2024, while Gujarat and Assam have launched similar initiatives. Madhya Pradesh has also constituted a committee. Tribals have been kept out of the UCC’s purview in all these states.
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Patel said Rajasthan’s move to implement a UCC is in line with Article 44 of the Constitution, one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The state government has said it is committed to drafting a progressive and model law suited to Rajasthan’s social fabric and contemporary requirements.