Rajasthan Forms Committee to Draft Uniform Civil Code Under Article 44

On June 22, 2026, the Rajasthan government announced the constitution of a five-member committee to draft the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (RUCC), 2026. Headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive civil code that would govern marriage, divorce, inheritance, and related personal law matters across the state. The announcement was made by Cabinet Minister Jogaram Patel and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, confirming that the decision had been taken on April 14, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

Committee Composition

The five-member committee brings together judicial, administrative, and academic expertise. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a former judge of the Supreme Court of India, serves as the Chairperson. The remaining members are Shatrughna Singh, a retired IAS officer; Basant Singh Chhaba, an Additional Advocate General in the Rajasthan High Court; Ramswaroop Agarwal, a former Principal of Government Law College, Ganganagar; and Dr. Shuchi Chauhan. The Additional Chief Secretary (Home) has been designated as the Member-Secretary of the committee.

Justice Desai's appointment carries particular significance. She previously chaired the Law Commission of India and has extensive experience with complex legislative reform projects. Her involvement signals that the Rajasthan government is serious about producing a well-considered, constitutionally sound draft.

Scope of the Proposed Uniform Civil Code

The proposed Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code is expected to cover several critical areas of personal law:

Marriage and divorce will be governed by uniform provisions applicable to all citizens regardless of religious affiliation. The code is expected to standardise the grounds for divorce, maintenance obligations, and the process for solemnising marriages.

Prohibition of polygamy is a key feature of the proposed framework, bringing Rajasthan in line with Uttarakhand's UCC, which made similar provisions. This would apply uniformly across all communities.

Mandatory registration of live-in relationships is another provision under consideration. While the constitutional validity of such a requirement will likely face judicial scrutiny, the committee is expected to examine how other jurisdictions have approached the regulation of non-marital cohabitation.

Equal inheritance rights in ancestral property for men and women represent one of the most significant reforms under consideration. This would create uniform succession rules that do not differentiate based on gender, potentially altering long-standing practices under various personal law systems.

Tribal Communities Excluded from Scope

Significantly, tribal communities have been excluded from the purview of the proposed code. This exclusion follows the precedent set by Uttarakhand's UCC and is consistent with the constitutional protections afforded to Scheduled Tribes under Articles 244 and 342 of the Constitution. Tribal communities in Rajasthan, particularly in areas covered by the Fifth Schedule, have distinct customary laws governing marriage, inheritance, and family matters that the government has opted to preserve.

Constitutional Basis and National Context

The committee's formation is grounded in Article 44 of the Constitution, a Directive Principle of State Policy that directs the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for citizens throughout the territory of India. While Article 44 is not judicially enforceable, the Supreme Court has on multiple occasions urged the government to work toward its implementation.

Rajasthan joins a growing list of states pursuing UCC legislation. Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a Uniform Civil Code in February 2024, while Gujarat and Assam have also launched similar initiatives. Rajasthan is now among several BJP-ruled states that have initiated the process in recent years, making UCC implementation an increasingly live issue in Indian law and politics.

Public Consultation Process

The committee has been mandated to conduct public consultations across Rajasthan as part of its drafting process. Additionally, a dedicated online platform will be established to gather public opinions and suggestions. This consultative approach mirrors the process followed by Uttarakhand, where public input was solicited before the final legislation was introduced.

For individuals navigating personal law matters in Rajasthan, the proposed UCC could significantly alter the legal landscape. Property owners, in particular, should monitor these developments closely, as the inheritance provisions may change how ancestral property is divided. Understanding the current framework for property transfers and khata registration remains essential while the new code takes shape.

Potential Legal Challenges

A state-level UCC will inevitably face constitutional scrutiny. The intersection of personal law with fundamental rights under Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 19 (freedom of speech and expression), and 25 (freedom of religion) creates a complex constitutional matrix. Any legislation will need to demonstrate that uniform provisions serve a legitimate state interest and do not disproportionately burden religious practices.

Dispute resolution mechanisms under the UCC will also be critical. The Mediation Act 2023 already provides a framework for alternative dispute resolution, and the UCC committee may incorporate mediation as a mandatory first step for family law disputes.

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Key Takeaways

Rajasthan has constituted a five-member committee headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code, 2026.

The proposed code covers marriage, divorce, prohibition of polygamy, mandatory registration of live-in relationships, and equal inheritance rights for men and women.

Tribal communities have been excluded from the scope of the proposed code, consistent with constitutional protections under Articles 244 and 342.

Rajasthan joins Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam as states pursuing UCC implementation, giving effect to Article 44 of the Constitution.

Public consultations and a dedicated online platform will be established to gather input from citizens before the final draft is prepared.