Madhya Pradesh to Introduce UCC Bill in Assembly

On 17 June 2026, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that a Uniform Civil Code Bill would be introduced in the Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The session is scheduled from 20 July to 24 July 2026 and is expected to include the first supplementary budget for 2026-27.

Uniform Civil Code in India

A Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of civil laws for matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and succession. Article 44 of the Constitution of India places the Uniform Civil Code among the Directive Principles of State Policy.

State-Level Drafting Process

A six-member high-level committee was formed by the Madhya Pradesh Government in April 2026 to draft the Bill. The committee is headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai and has been asked to submit a detailed report within 60 days. The committee has visited different parts of Madhya Pradesh to collect suggestions from people of different religions. It is also studying the models adopted by Uttarakhand and Gujarat, which are ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Assembly Session and Legislative Business

The Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is a five-day session. The state government has listed the UCC Bill among the major items for discussion along with the supplementary budget and other bills and amendments. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has stated that the Bill may be passed in the same session. The phrase Baba Mahakal refers to Lord Mahakaleshwar, the presiding deity of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Important Facts for Exams

• Article 44 of the Constitution of India is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to enact a Uniform Civil Code law in 2024.
• The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the state.
• Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai has served as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Opposition Response

Congress MLA Arif Masood has questioned the uniformity of the proposed law if tribal communities are excluded from its scope. He has also raised concerns about live-in relationships in the context of the proposed legislation.