What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They may confuse the 6-month timeline (mentioned for preparing draft) with the 60-day deadline (for submitting the draft bill) or swap the chairperson's name with another former judge. They may also ask if UCC is a Fundamental Right (it's a DPSP under Article 44) or confuse Fifth Schedule with Sixth Schedule (which applies to Northeast).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Committee deadline is 60 days, not 6 months. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prasad Desai. 3. Target this Legal Point: Constitutional protections for tribes under Fifth Schedule and PESA Act.

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Madhya Pradesh Sets 60-Day Panel Led by Former SC Judge Ranjana Desai to Draft Uniform Civil Code Bill

Q: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is mentioned in the Indian Constitution under which article?

Article 44 — Article 44 of the Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, states that "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India."

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Madhya Pradesh UCC committee: 1. The committee is chaired by a former Supreme Court judge. 2. The committee has been asked to submit a draft bill within six months. 3. The committee will examine the UCC models adopted by Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3 — Statement 1 is correct: The committee is chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prasad Desai. Statement 2 is incorrect: The committee has a 60-day (not six-month) deadline to submit a draft bill. Statement 3 is correct: The article states the committee will examine models adopted by other states, particularly Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

Q: According to the article, what percentage of Madhya Pradesh's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, making the UCC proposal particularly sensitive?

Over 21% — The article explicitly states: "With more than 21 per cent of Madhya Pradesh’s population belonging to Scheduled Tribes, the issue carries significant political sensitivity."

Q: What is a primary constitutional concern raised by tribal groups regarding the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in Madhya Pradesh?

It overrides protections granted under the Fifth Schedule and PESA Act. — Tribal leaders argue that constitutional protections under the Fifth Schedule and laws like PESA safeguard their distinct traditions and systems of self-governance, and a uniform legal framework could undermine these protections.

PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

28 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:60-day deadlineOver 21% ST population

Bodies:Madhya Pradesh Law and Legislative Affairs DepartmentHigh-Level Committee

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Madhya Pradesh government has formed a committee chaired by former SC judge Ranjana Desai to draft a Uniform Civil Code bill.

2.The committee has a 60-day deadline to submit a draft, examining models from Uttarakhand and Gujarat and focusing on safeguarding women and children's rights.

3.The proposal faces resistance from tribal groups citing constitutional protections under the Fifth Schedule and PESA, making it a sensitive polity topic for exams.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a high-level committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill within 60 days. This follows similar UCC enactments in Uttarakhand and Gujarat and aims to unify personal laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. The move is politically significant given the state's over 21% Scheduled Tribe population and their constitutional protections under the Fifth Schedule.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Committee ChairpersonFormer Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prasad Desai

Draft Submission Deadline60 days

ST Population in MPOver 21%

States with UCC LegislationUttarakhand and Gujarat

1-Minute Revision

›Committee Chairperson: Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prasad Desai
›Draft Submission Deadline: 60 days
›Target this Data: Committee deadline is 60 days, not 6 months.
›Target this Nodal Body: Committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prasad Desai.
›Target this Legal Point: Constitutional protections for tribes under Fifth Schedule and PESA Act.

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News Snapshot

⚖️

UCC Panel Formation

MP government sets up a committee chaired by former SC judge Ranjana Desai to draft a Uniform Civil Code bill.

📅

60-Day Deadline

The committee has been tasked to submit a draft bill and detailed report within 60 days.

⚠️

Tribal Concerns

Over 21% ST population in MP raises concerns about UCC overriding constitutional protections under Fifth Schedule and PESA.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is envisaged under Article 44 of the Constitution as a directive principle. The BJP has a longstanding national push for UCC. Following enactments in Uttarakhand (2024) and Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh is the third BJP-ruled state to initiate the process. The move aims to replace diverse personal laws (based on religion) with a common set governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and live-in relationships.

Core Analysis & Implications

The committee's mandate includes comprehensive study of existing personal laws, examination of Uttarakhand and Gujarat models, and proposing a balanced framework. It specifically focuses on safeguarding rights of women and children and regulating live-in relationships. The political sensitivity stems from MP's significant tribal population (over 21%) who enjoy constitutional protections under the Fifth Schedule and PESA Act, safeguarding their customary laws and self-governance. Tribal leaders have warned of protests, indicating potential social and legal friction.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The committee will conduct public consultations and invite suggestions from stakeholders. Its report will shape the draft bill, which the government aims to roll out by Diwali 2026. The success of this initiative will depend on balancing uniformity with protections for tribal communities, testing the limits of Article 44 versus Fifth Schedule provisions. This development adds to the ongoing national debate on UCC and provides a case study for comparative state-level implementation.

Key Facts at a Glance

Committee ChairpersonFormer Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prasad Desai

Draft Submission Deadline60 days

ST Population in MPOver 21%

States with UCC LegislationUttarakhand and Gujarat

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is mentioned in the Indian Constitution under which article?

2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Madhya Pradesh UCC committee:

1. The committee is chaired by a former Supreme Court judge.

2. The committee has been asked to submit a draft bill within six months.

3. The committee will examine the UCC models adopted by Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

According to the article, what percentage of Madhya Pradesh's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, making the UCC proposal particularly sensitive?

4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is a primary constitutional concern raised by tribal groups regarding the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in Madhya Pradesh?

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Madhya Pradesh Sets 60-Day Panel Led by Former SC Judge Ranjana Desai to Draft Uniform Civil Code Bill

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

UCC Panel Formation

60-Day Deadline

Tribal Concerns

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance