Overview
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on 17 June 2026 that a Uniform Civil Code Bill will be introduced in the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly from 20-24 July. A six-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai is drafting the Bill after touring the state.
A Major Legislative Move
On 17 June 2026, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav made a significant announcement. He said that a Bill to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Madhya Pradesh would be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the state Legislative Assembly. The session is scheduled to be held over five days, from 20 July to 24 July 2026 . Expressing strong confidence in its passage, the Chief Minister said the Bill is expected to be cleared during the same session.
What is the Uniform Civil Code?
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. The UCC aims to replace religion-based personal laws with a common civil code governing these matters for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
The High-Level Committee
In April 2026, the Madhya Pradesh government constituted a six-member high-level committee to examine the feasibility of implementing the UCC in the state. The committee is headed by Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai , a former judge of the Supreme Court of India. Other members include retired IAS officer Shatrughna Singh, legal expert Anoop Nair, educationist Gopal Sharma, social worker Budhpal Singh, and General Administration Department secretary Ajay Katesariya.
The committee has been tasked with submitting a draft Bill and a detailed report within 60 days . It has been touring various districts of Madhya Pradesh to gather suggestions from people of different religions. The panel is also studying the UCC models adopted by other BJP-ruled states, especially Uttarakhand and Gujarat . The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill in February 2024, making it the first Indian state to enact such a law.
The Monsoon Session Agenda
The five-day Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly will begin on 20 July 2026 . Along with the UCC Bill, the session is expected to feature the presentation of the first supplementary budget for 2026-27 , along with discussions on several important bills and amendments. Chief Minister Yadav has stated that the government will bring many important and contemporary issues to the assembly session.
Government's Vision and Public Consultation
Chief Minister Yadav has described the UCC as a crucial step aligned with the national vision of " One Nation, One Law ". He emphasised that the initiative aims to promote social equality by replacing religion-based personal laws with a common civil code. The government has also launched a website regarding the UCC and appealed to the public to share their suggestions.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Bill
The proposed UCC in Madhya Pradesh is expected to focus on four major areas: marriage, divorce and maintenance, inheritance and property rights, and live-in relationships .
Mandatory Registration for Live-in Relationships
One of the most significant provisions in the draft concerns live-in relationships. The government proposes mandatory registration or declaration of live-in relationships, similar to the system introduced in Uttarakhand. The draft also seeks to provide legal and financial protection to women in such relationships, including maintenance rights in case of separation. Importantly, children born from registered live-in relationships would receive full legal recognition, including biological inheritance rights .
Equal Family Laws Across Communities
The proposed legislation aims to establish equal family laws across communities, ensuring the same legal rights and obligations for men and women regardless of religion. Women would receive equal property and inheritance rights, while discriminatory or unilateral divorce provisions would be replaced by a uniform system.
Opposition and Concerns
The announcement has triggered political opposition, particularly concerning the state's large tribal population. Madhya Pradesh has one of the country's largest tribal populations, with 47 Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
Tribal Communities and Constitutional Protections
Congress MLA Arif Masood has questioned the government's claim that the proposed legislation would be truly "uniform" as tribal communities are already excluded. He said: "First of all, when tribal communities have been kept outside its purview, how can it still be called a Uniform Civil Code? Secondly, I believe everyone should oppose it because it will encourage live-in relationships".
Tribal organisations have voiced similar concerns, pointing to protections available under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) . The government is expected to face pressure to clarify whether tribal communities will remain outside the ambit of the proposed law, as was done in Uttarakhand. The Opposition Congress has claimed the UCC could pose a serious threat to the identity, traditions and constitutional rights of the tribal community.
A Defining Political Project
For Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the UCC push is more than a legislative exercise. It is emerging as one of the defining political projects of his tenure and a test of his ability to translate the BJP's national ideological agenda into state policy. As the state prepares for the Monsoon Session, all eyes will be on the assembly to see how this historic legislation unfolds.
Exam-Focused Points
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Madhya Pradesh UCC Bill announced on: 17 June 2026 by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
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Monsoon Session dates: 20 July to 24 July 2026 (five-day session).
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Committee head: Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai, former Supreme Court judge.
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Committee formed: April 2026; deadline to submit draft within 60 days.
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Article 44 of the Constitution places UCC among Directive Principles of State Policy.
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Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to enact a UCC law in 2024.
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Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the state.
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Key areas covered: Marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, live-in relationships.
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Key concerns: Tribal communities and constitutional protections under Fifth Schedule and PESA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When will the Madhya Pradesh UCC Bill be introduced?
A: The Bill will be introduced in the Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, scheduled from 20 July to 24 July 2026.
Q2: Who is heading the committee drafting the UCC Bill?
A: The six-member committee is headed by Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai, a former judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Q3: What is the Uniform Civil Code?
A: A Uniform Civil Code is a common set of civil laws for matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and succession, applicable to all citizens irrespective of their religion.
Q4: Which state was the first to enact a Uniform Civil Code?
A: Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to enact a Uniform Civil Code law in 2024.
Q5: What are the main concerns raised by the Opposition?
A: The Opposition and tribal organisations have expressed concern that the UCC could undermine tribal customs, traditional inheritance systems, and community practices protected under the Constitution.