Banner

Press ESC to close

Uniform Civil Code in India

Uniform Civil Code in India: Suggestions, Challenges and Essay for UPSC Notes

The Uniform Civil Code is based on the idea of one country, one code that applies to all faith groups. Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution specifically mentions the term “Uniform Civil Code.”

Since the first petition was submitted in 2019 to demand the creation of a UCC to promote national integration and gender equality,  justice, and dignity of women, it has become a hotly disputed topic in India. Questions from it can be asked in the IAS Exam in GS-II (Governance), Mains GS-1 (Indian Society), Prelims, and also Essay papers.

This article will give you all the important notes and information about the uniform civil commission in India. The law commission reports behind the uniform code, when it was formed and why it was formed, all the data will be provided here.

Uniform Civil Code in India: UPSC Essay Introduction Paragraph

A Uniform Civil Code indicates that all members regardless of faith, society, will be treated equally under a national civil code that will be applied similarly to all.

They address topics such as inheritance, divorce, adoption, marriage, child support, and property succession. It is founded on the assumption that in modern culture, there is no link between law and religion.

Also Read: Uniform Civil Code: The Complete Guide to Important UPSC Notes  

Features Of Uniform Civil Code of Goa

# In Goa, the Uniform Civil commission is a progressive statute that allows for an equitable distribution of income and property between husband and wife, as well as children (regardless of gender).

# Every birth, marriage, and death must be legally recorded. There are numerous provisions for divorce.

# Polygamy and triple talaq are not permitted for Muslims whose marriages are registered in Goa.

# During the course of a marriage, the couple shares all of the property and wealth that each spouse owns or acquires.

# In the event of a divorce, each spouse is entitled to half of the property, and in the event of death, the surviving member’s ownership is halved.

# Parents cannot completely disinherit their offspring. A minimum of half of their assets must be passed on to the children. This inherited property must be divided among the children equally.

Also Read: How to Write an Essay? 9 Tips To Score Better in UPSC Essay Paper

Suggestions for Bringing Up a Uniform Civil Code

The following suggestions must be considered immediately in order to achieve the DPSP’s goals and maintain legal uniformity

# People should be encouraged to have a progressive and open-minded mindset in order to grasp the spirit of the UCC. Education, sensitization and awareness programmes must be implemented to achieve this.

# The Uniform Civil commission should be written with the greatest interests of all religions in mind.

# To maintain uniformity, a committee of distinguished jurists should be formed, and care must be taken not to offend the feelings of any particular group.

# Given the sensitivity of the subject, it is always preferable if the initiative comes from the religious groups involved.

Uniform Civil Code: Historical Perspective (Second Paragraph)

The perspective of the commission comes from the history of colonial times.

Pre-Independence: Colonial Era

# The October 1840 Lex Loci Report emphasised the need and necessity of uniformity in the codification of Indian law, particularly in the areas of crimes, proof, and contract. However, it was also recommended that Muslim and Hindu personal laws be left out of such codification.

# The Proclamation of the Queen of 1859 pledged complete non-interference in religious affairs.

Post-Colonial Era

Famous leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar campaigned for a standard civil code during the constitution’s development.

However, because of religious fundamentalist opposition and a lack of public understanding at the time, they included the UCC in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP, Article 44).

The Hindu Code Bill

Dr B R Ambedkar drafted the bill to modify Hindu laws that legalised divorce, prohibited polygamy, and provided daughters inheritance rights. Despite fierce opposition, a reduced form of the code was passed through four different statutes.

Succession Act

Originally, the Hindu Succession Act of 1956 did not grant daughters any inheritance rights in the family property. They could only beg for a right to food from a Hindu family that lived together. However, on September 9, 2005, an amendment to the Act was passed, which eliminated the difference.

Minority and Guardianship Act

The Hindu Marriage Act

Adoptions and Maintenance Act

Special Marriage Act

It was passed in 1954 and allows legal marriages to take place outside of any religious personal law.

Also Read: What Is the UAPA Act? Here’s All You Need to Know about the Act for the UPSC Exam

Law Commission Report: Uniform Civil Code in India (Third Paragraph)

According to the Law Commission study, the way forward may not be a Uniform Civil commission, but rather the codification of all personal laws so that stereotypes and prejudices in each one can be exposed and tested against the Constitution’s Fundamental Rights.

Merits of Uniform Civil Code

Given below are the merits of the law commission of the UCC or the Uniform Civil Code. The UCC has many advantages because it is a commission for equality, liberty and franchise.

National Integration

A single commission is essential for the protection of India’s most vulnerable citizens (religious minorities and women), as well as the development of solidarity and national unity.

Simplification of Laws

# There are numerous personal laws, such as the Sharia Law, Hindu Code Bill, and others.

# The existence of so many laws leads to complexity, confusion, and inconsistency in the adjudication of personal matters, which can result in delayed or no justice.

# This overlapping of laws will be eliminated by the UCC.

Simplification of the System

UCC will lead to a decrease in litigation originating from numerous personal laws.

Establishing a Secular Nation

# UCC will separate law from religion, which is a very desirable goal in a socialist and secular society.

# Furthermore, it complies with Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which is a constitutional duty.

Gender Justice

# Women’s rights are frequently restricted under patriarchal rhetoric by religious regulations.

# UCC will free women from patriarchal oppression and grant them the right to liberty and equality that they deserve.

# UCC would lead to the defeat of divisionist and communal movements in the long run.

Way Forward UCC (Conclusion)

India has a unique mix of Parsi, Muslim, Christian and Hindu personal laws codified. There is no single family-related law for all Indians in a single statute book that is acceptable to all religious faiths that coexist in India. However, the majority of them agree that UCC is unquestionably desirable and would contribute significantly to the building and consolidation of Indian nationhood.

Furthermore, although the United States Constitution endorses the cause of a uniform civil code in Article 44, it should not be misinterpreted as a “common law.”

The term “uniform” refers to the fact that all communities must be governed by the same gender and human equity principles.

Each personal law will be humanised and modernised as a result.

It would imply different personal rules founded on ideals of liberty, fairness, and equality, rather than common law.

Practice Questions for Uniform Civil Code for UPSC

Here are some questions which are asked in the previous papers of UPSC

# What are your thoughts on the Uniform Civil Code? Examine its applicability in a secular country like India, as well as the obstacles to its implementation. (maximum 250 words)

# Examine the elements that may prevent India from implementing a unified civil commission for its inhabitants, as required by the directive principles of state policy.

# On the one hand, there is no necessary link between religion and personal laws, while civil and personal laws are distinct on the other. Discuss the need for a consistent civil commission and the various issues that come with it in this setting.

# Essay Question: In a secular India, a Uniform Civil Code is Required.

Also Read: UPSC Test Question with Answers: Practice Set for UPSC Current Affairs

This article is an essay on the uniform civil code of India and talks about the challenges, suggestions and also the arguments. The aspirants should take down these as important notes, and also form revision notes as bullet points as uniform civil code is a very crucial topic in the UPSC.

It can be asked in current affairs, general studies papers and even as an essay topic. There are many videos that talk about this topic and many debates which give you the perfect idea of what this topic is all about.

Hopefully , this article helped you with all the data and information that you were looking for. What is your opinion on the Uniform Civil Code of India? Drop your explanation in the comments section below.

Also Read: What is Section 66A of the IT Act? Here is All the Information for UPSC Preparation

Content Protection by DMCA.com

One Comment

ucc essay in english

This article has efficiently provided me with the UPSC notes I was searching for. This has detailed information about every relevant thing. How do you guys prepare the notes for UPSC?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Share Article:

About the Author

Amiksha kantam.

Amiksha is a budding Content Writer. A young writer who has written over 250 poems and quotes and also an author of a famous Wattpad novel named “Ma and the Magical Kingdom” and always sets her goals high with her determination like the sky. Her mother is her inspiration and her family is her biggest support. She has her interest in writing, reading novels and craft. She has developed her hardworking and disciplined persona from her mother. She is very out going and loves travelling, trekking and hiking. She believes in the quote “Creativity lies in actions not experience

You might also like

Operation Kaveri UPSC

Operation Kaveri UPSC: Let’s Prepare the UPSC Notes for Current UPSC Topic!

UPSC DPA

UPSC DPA: Let’s Go Through the Complete Guide for the Examination!

PM SVANidhi Scheme UPSC

PM SVANidhi Scheme UPSC: Let’s Prepare UPSC Notes for This Significant Topic!

Other stories, what are the uniform civil code questions for upsc basic structure and upsc answer formation, climate change essay: step by step guide to ace upsc writing topic.

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login

neatstudy

Essay Writing on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in English : Need and Challenges

Uniform Civil Code : Need & Challenges

Uniform Civil Code (UCC), inserted in Article 44 of the Costitution is a widely debated topic in India. Uniform Civil Cod is a proposed law in India to create and execute personal laws of citizens regardless of their gender, religion, caste or community. Article 44 of the Constitution directs the State to implement Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India. The primary objective of the Uniform Civil Code is to promote gender equality and national integration by bringing all personal laws under one umbrella.

India struggles with the idea of UCC due to the existence of different personal laws governing various aspects of life such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption among others. These personal laws are based on religious texts and customs and differ from one community to another. This has resulted in discrimination against women and minority groups, who often receive unfair treatment under these laws.

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF UCC

A Uniform Civil Code would ensure that all citizens, irrespective of their religion or gender, are subjected to the same laws which would promote equality before law, gender equality, social justice and national unity. It would also bring an end to discriminatory practices such as triple talaq and polygamy, which are allowed under certain personal laws. It would also allow the modernization and reform of India's legal system. UCC can potentially reduce tensions and conflicts between different religions that arise due to differences in personal laws. The Supreme Court in various judgements has called for the implementation of the UCC. The most important one was Shah Bano Begum case of 1985, where a divorced muslim women demanded maintenance from her former husband and the apex court ruled in her favour.

There are concerns that a Uniform Civil Code would infringe on the religious and cultural rights of minorities and it may not be feasible given the diversity of the Indian society. There is a lack of consensus among the various religious and cultural communities in India on this issue. This makes it challenging to implement such a code. The issue of UCC is a highly sensitive and politicised issue and may be used as a political tool to target communities.

To conclude, the UCC debate in India is intricate and has various facets. The implementation of UCC is definitely desirable which will go a long way in promoting gender equality, social justice and strengthening the Indian nationhood. To ensure that UCC is perceived as just and equitable by all citizens, it is essential to consider diverse perspectives and needs of different groups and evolve a consensus.

Other Important Essays

ucc essay in english

Next IAS

  • भाषा : हिंदी
  • Classroom Courses
  • Our Selections
  • Student Login
  • About NEXT IAS
  • Director’s Desk
  • Advisory Panel
  • Faculty Panel
  • General Studies Courses
  • Optional Courses
  • Interview Guidance Program
  • Postal Courses
  • Test Series
  • Current Affairs
  • Student Portal

Logo

  • Pre Cum Mains Foundation Courses
  • GS + CSAT Pre cum Main Foundation Course
  • GS Pre cum Main Foundation Course
  • GS + CSAT + Optional
  • GS + Optional
  • Prelims Courses
  • Current Affairs Course for CSE 2025
  • CSAT Course
  • Current Affairs for Prelims (CAP)-2024
  • Mains Courses
  • Mains Advance Course (MAC)
  • Essay Course Cum Test Series
  • First Step — NCERT Based Course
  • Optional Foundation Courses
  • Mathematics
  • Anthropology
  • Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)
  • Optional Advance Courses (Optional Through Questions)
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Interview Guidance Programme / Personality Test Training Program
  • GS + CSAT Postal Courses
  • Current Affairs Magazine – Annual Subscription
  • GS+CSAT Postal Study Course
  • First Step Postal Course
  • Postal Study Course for Optional Subjects
  • Prelims Test Series for CSE 2024 (Offline/Online)
  • General Studies
  • GS Mains Test Series for CSE 2024
  • Mains Test Series (Optional)
  • Paarth PSIR
  • PSIR Answer Writing Program
  • PSIR PRO Plus Test Series
  • Mathematics Year Long Test Series (MYTS) 2024
  • Indian Economic Services
  • Anubhav (All India Open Mock Test)
  • Prelims (GS + CSAT)
  • Headlines of the Day
  • Daily Current Affairs
  • Editorial Analysis
  • Monthly MCQ Compilation
  • Monthly Current Affairs Magazine
  • Previous Year Papers
  • Down to Earth
  • Kurukshetra
  • Union Budget
  • Economic Survey
  • NIOS Study Material
  • Beyond Classroom

Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Meaning, Constitutional Provisions, Debates, Judgments & More

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

Rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and secularism, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been a long-standing aspiration in India. Recent developments such as the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in Uttarakhand have reignited the debates surrounding it. This article of Next IAS aims to explain the meaning of the UCC, related constitutional provisions, its benefits and challenges, and the way forward.

Meaning of the Uniform Civil Code

A Uniform Civil Code (UCC) refers to a common law that applies to all religious communities in personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce, adoption, etc. It aims to replace the different personal laws that currently govern personal matters within different religious communities.

A UCC primarily aims to promote social harmony, gender equality, and secularism by eliminating disparate legal systems based on different religions and communities. Such a code seeks to ensure uniformity of laws not only between the communities but also within a community.

ucc essay in english

Constitutional Provisions

The Directive Principle of State Policies mentioned in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution provides that The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India. However, being a Directive Principle, it is not justiciable.

Status of the Uniform Civil Code in India

  • As of now, India does not have a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) implemented at the national level. Instead, different personal laws based on religious customs and practices govern matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for different religious communities.
  • However, over the years, the central government as well as some states have made certain efforts towards the implementation of UCC. These efforts can be seen under the following two heads:

Steps taken by the Center

Special marriage act, 1954.

It was enacted to provide a secular alternative in marriages. It lays down provisions for civil marriage for the people of India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries, irrespective of religion or faith followed by either party.

Hindu Code Bills

The Hindu Code Bills , passed by the Parliament during the 1950s, are seen as a step towards the UCC. The following 4 Acts enacted under it seek to codify and bring uniformity in personal laws within the Hindu community:

  • The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
  • The Hindu Succession Act, 1956
  • The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
  • The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956

Note: The term ‘Hindu’ also includes Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists for the purpose of these laws.

Steps taken by the States

  • This law in Goa is known as the Goa Civil Code or Goa Family Code and applies to all Goans, irrespective of their religious or ethnic community.

Uttarakhand

  • The Bill provides for a common law for matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance of property, etc., and applies to all residents of Uttarakhand except Scheduled Tribes.

ucc essay in english

Present Status

  • Nationwide implementation of a Uniform Civil Code remains an elusive goal.
  • Hindu Marriage Act (1955)
  • Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act (1937)
  • Christian Marriage Act (1872)
  • Parsee Marriage and Divorce Act (1937) etc

Debates in the Constituent Assembly

The issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was debated extensively in the Constituent Assembly. Key arguments presented during the debate can be summarized as follows:

Arguments in Favor

The proponents of the UCC in the Constituent Assembly included members like B.R. Ambedkar, Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, and K.M. Munshi. They put forth the following arguments in favor of a common civil code

  • Equality and Justice : As per them, a common civil code would uphold the principles of equality and justice by ensuring uniform laws for all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations.
  • Secularism: A UCC would align with the secular nature of the Indian state, separating personal laws from religious considerations and promoting a unified national identity.
  • Women’s Rights : Such a code would do away with discriminatory practices prevalent in personal laws, particularly those affecting women’s rights in matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Thus, it would promote gender equality and women empowerment.

Arguments Against

Opponents of the UCC in the Constituent Assembly included members such as Nazirrudin Ahmad and Mohammad Ismail Khan . They expressed the following reservations about the UCC:

  • Religious Autonomy : It might cause potential infringement upon the religious autonomy of various communities as it would interfere with religious customs and traditions without the consent of those communities.
  • Cultural Sensitivities : A single code might not adequately accommodate the unique customs and sensitivities of different communities. This, in turn, might hamper the diversity of religious and cultural practices in India.
  • Social Unrest : Practices related to personal matters are deeply rooted in the religious and cultural identities of various communities in India. Implementing a uniform civil code might mean forcing them to relinquish their identities and could lead to social unrest and communal tensions.

Since a consensus on a UCC could not be reached in the Constituent Assembly, it was placed under the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 44.

Supreme Court’s Views on Uniform Civil Code

The issue of a Uniform Civil Code has been dealt with by the Supreme Court in various cases. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has passed several landmark judgments and observations that have significantly contributed to the discourse on the UCC. Some of these include:

ucc essay in english

Law Commission’s Views on Uniform Civil Code

The Law Commission of India has periodically examined the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and its implications for Indian society. Some notable observations made by the Law Commission are as follows:

21st Law Commission of India (headed by Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan)

  • This commission expressed the view that implementing a UCC might not be necessary or desirable at this time. Instead, it suggested a series of reforms within various personal laws pertaining to different communities.
  • Thus, it recommended amendments and changes to existing family laws with the aim of ensuring justice and equality within all religions, rather than proposing a single uniform law.

22nd Law Commission of India (headed by Justice Rituraj Awasthi)

  • This commission has issued a consultation paper on the UCC, seeking public feedback on the issue.
  • Diverse sections of the population including religious organizations, legal experts, policymakers, and civil society groups have been asked to furnish their views regarding the feasibility, implications, and potential framework for a UCC.

Arguments in Favour of Uniform Civil Code

Based on the above-discussed discourse and the opinion of the experts, the following arguments can be put forth in favor of implementing a Uniform Civil Code:

  • Simplifies Legal System : Having one set of laws for all will simplify the personal laws that are at present segregated on the basis of religious beliefs. This, in turn, would simplify the legal framework and the legal process.
  • Promotes Equality : A UCC aims to ensure that all citizens of India, irrespective of their religion, are treated equally under the law. Thus, it will help promote the ideal of equality as envisaged in the Preamble.
  • Promotes Secularism : A UCC would help towards achieving a secular state where the law is the same for all, regardless of religion. Thus, it would help promote the ideal of Secularism in the country.
  • Promotes Gender Equality and Women Empowerment : The current personal laws of different religious communities put women in a disadvantageous position in matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and property rights. Implementing a UCC would ensure equal treatment and opportunities for women in these areas, thus promoting the cause of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.
  • Promotes National Integratio n: A common set of laws for all citizens will promote a sense of oneness and the national spirit. This, in turn, will promote national unity and integrity and help India emerge as a nation in the true sense.
  • Promotes Modernization : By doing away with outdated religious laws, a UCC would reflect the progressive aspirations of a modern democratic society based on current values and ethics.
  • Elevates Global Image : Adopting a UCC would enhance India’s international image as a progressive and inclusive democracy committed to upholding the principles of equality, justice, and secularism. It would align India’s legal framework with global human rights standards and modern democratic practices.

Arguments Against Uniform Civil Code

Several critics have put forth the following arguments against implementing a Uniform Civil Code:

  • Lack of Consensus : There is no consensus among various communities about what the UCC should entail. The lack of agreement on the principles and provisions of a common code makes it difficult to envision a UCC that is acceptable to all.
  • Implementational Challenges : The sheer diversity of laws governing different communities makes the drafting and implementation of a UCC a daunting task. Creating a code that adequately addresses and respects the nuances of each community’s laws won’t be easy.
  • Threat to Religious Freedom : Implementing a UCC would infringe upon the religious freedom of citizens by imposing uniform laws that may contradict their religious beliefs and practices. This might mean state interference in religious affairs.
  • Threat to Cultural Diversity : Imposing uniform laws across such diverse communities would ignore the unique cultural practices, traditions, customs, and sensitivities of different religious groups. Overall, it might go against the idea of diversity.
  • Fear of Majoritarianism : There is a concern that a UCC could reflect the beliefs and practices of the majority religion. Thus, it may be akin to imposing a majoritarian view on minorities and hence marginalization of minority groups.
  • Threat of Social Unrest : Given the sensitivity around religious and cultural practices, there is a risk that attempting to implement a UCC could lead to social unrest and deepen communal divides.
  • Undermining Federalism : Personal matters being under the Concurrent List, both the Parliament and state legislature are empowered to make laws on them. Imposing a UCC could undermine the federal structure by encroaching upon the rights of states to legislate on such matters.

Way Forward

  • Dialogue and Consultation : There needs to be extensive dialogue and consultation with all stakeholders, including religious communities, legal experts, policymakers, and civil society organizations, to understand concerns and perspectives regarding the UCC.
  • Public Awareness and Education : Conducting awareness campaigns and educational programs to inform the public about the benefits and implications of the UCC can help build consensus and garner support for its implementation.
  • Piecemeal Approach : A piecemeal approach of codifying the different personal laws and putting them for public debates and scrutiny can be adopted. This will arouse public consciousness towards UCC.
  • Inclusivity : A UCC should be drafted in such a manner that respects religious diversity while promoting gender equality and justice is crucial.
  • Gradual Implementation : Implementing the UCC in a phased manner, starting with areas where there is least resistance and gradually expanding its scope, can help mitigate concerns and ensure a smoother transition.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation : As and when a UCC is implemented, a mechanism should be established for monitoring its implementation, and evaluating its impact on society. This will help make necessary adjustments and improvements and smoothen the process of its implementation.
  • Political Will : Political leaders must demonstrate leadership and a strong will to navigate through the complexities and challenges associated with the UCC implementation.

In conclusion, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) stands as a critical imperative for India’s journey towards social justice, equality, and secularism. Despite some drawbacks and implementational challenges, UCC offers immense potential benefits. From ensuring gender equality and social cohesion to simplifying legal procedures and fostering modernization, the UCC holds the promise of protecting the oppressed as well as promoting national unity and solidarity. 

Read out our detailed article on the Uttarakhand UCC Bill

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the uniform civil code.

UCC refers to a common law being applicable to all religious communities in personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, etc. It aims to replace the different personal laws that currently govern personal matters within different religious communities.

What is the Need for a Uniform Civil Code in India?

The need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India arises from the imperative of establishing equality, secularism, and national integration in India.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Financial emergency (article 360), president’s rule (article 356), national emergency (article 352), emergency provisions in indian constitution, sessions of parliament, sovereignty of parliament, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Featured Post

Logo

NEXT IAS (Delhi)

Old rajinder nagar.

  • 27-B, Pusa Road, Metro Pillar no.118, Near Karol Bagh Metro, New Delhi-110060

Mukherjee Nagar

  • 1422, Main Mukherjee Nagar Road. Near Batra Cinema New Delhi-110009

ucc essay in english

NEXT IAS (Bhopal)

  • Plot No. 46 Zone - 2 M.P Nagar Bhopal - 462011
  • 8827664612 ,

ucc essay in english

NEXT IAS (Jaipur)

  • NEXT IAS - Plot No - 6 & 7, 3rd Floor, Sree Gopal Nagar, Gopalpura Bypass, Above Zudio Showroom Jaipur (Rajasthan) - 302015

ucc essay in english

NEXT IAS (Prayagraj)

  • 31/31, Sardar Patel Marg, Civil Lines, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh - 211001

telegram

Union Council of Ministers (CoM)

CbseAcademic.in

Essay on Uniform Civil Code 1000+ Words

The concept of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a subject of significant discussion and debate. In this essay, I will argue that the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in a diverse country like India has the potential to promote equality, justice, and legal uniformity.

Defining the Uniform Civil Code

A Uniform Civil Code is a set of laws that apply uniformly to all citizens, regardless of their religion, regarding matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and property rights. India is a nation with diverse personal laws based on religion, which creates disparities.

Addressing Religious Personal Laws

Currently, India follows different personal laws for different religious communities. For example, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others have separate laws governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance. This creates inequality and confusion.

Promoting Gender Equality

One of the main arguments in favor of a Uniform Civil Code is its potential to promote gender equality. Under many existing personal laws, women often face discrimination in matters like divorce, inheritance, and property rights.

Case Study: Triple Talaq

The issue of triple talaq in Islamic personal law has been a subject of controversy. A Uniform Civil Code could eliminate practices like instant triple talaq, which have been deemed unfair and oppressive to women.

Legal Uniformity

A Uniform Civil Code would bring legal uniformity to the country. It would simplify the legal system by applying a single set of laws to all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

Social Cohesion

Implementing a Uniform Civil Code can promote social cohesion by removing religious divisions in personal laws. It can contribute to a more unified and harmonious society.

Arguments Against a UCC

Some argue that a UCC may infringe upon religious freedom and traditions. It’s important to consider these concerns and strike a balance between personal beliefs and the need for equality and uniformity.

International Perspective

Many countries, including some with diverse religious populations like the United States, have uniform civil codes that apply to all citizens. Examining international examples can provide insights into the benefits and challenges of implementing a UCC.

Legal Challenges

Implementing a uniform civil code in a diverse country like India would require careful consideration and planning to address legal complexities and cultural sensitivities.

Conclusion of Essay on Uniform Civil Code

In conclusion, the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in India is a complex and contentious issue. However, it has the potential to promote gender equality, legal uniformity, and social cohesion. It is essential to have open and respectful discussions to find a balanced approach that respects religious beliefs while ensuring justice and equality for all citizens. A Uniform Civil Code, if implemented thoughtfully, could be a significant step toward a more equitable and unified society.

Also Check: Simple Guide on How To Write An Essay

ucc essay in english

  • TRP for UPSC Personality Test
  • Interview Mentorship Programme – 2023
  • Daily News & Analysis
  • Daily Current Affairs Quiz
  • Baba’s Explainer
  • Dedicated TLP Portal
  • 60 Day – Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series – 2024
  • English Magazines
  • Hindi Magazines
  • Yojana & Kurukshetra Gist
  • PT20 – Prelims Test Series
  • Gurukul Foundation
  • Gurukul Advanced – Launching Soon
  • Prelims Exclusive Programme (PEP)
  • Prelims Test Series (AIPTS)
  • Integrated Learning Program (ILP) – 2025
  • Connect to Conquer(C2C) 2024
  • TLP Plus – 2024
  • TLP Connect – 2024
  • Public Administration FC – 2024
  • Anthropology Foundation Course
  • Anthropology Optional Test Series
  • Sociology Foundation Course – 2024
  • Sociology Test Series – 2023
  • Geography Optional Foundation Course
  • Geography Optional Test Series – Coming Soon!
  • PSIR Foundation Course
  • PSIR Test Series – Coming Soon
  • ‘Mission ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ’ – Prelims Crash Course
  • CTI (COMMERCIAL TAX INSPECTOR) Test Series & Video Classes
  • Monthly Magazine

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India: An overview

  • January 19, 2022

UPSC Articles

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

(ORF: India Matters)

Jan 6: Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India: An overview – https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/uniform-civil-code-ucc-in-india-an-overview/   

TOPIC: GS-1: Indian Society (Communalism, Secularism, Regionalism) GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation .

Context: As per the recent Allahabad High Court judgement that states that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a necessity and mandatorily required, there is a need to understand the phenomenon of the UCC in India. 

  • Article 44 of the Constitution declares that the state shall endeavour to secure the citizens a uniform civil code. This article finds a place under Part IV of the Constitution that deals with Directive Principles of State Policy , which are not enforceable in any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in law-making. 
  • The significance attached to the directive principles was recognised in the Minerva Mills versus Union of India case , where the Supreme Court held that the fundamental rights must be harmonised with the directive principles and such harmony is one of the basic features of the Constitution .

The idea of Uniform Civil Code

  • Historically, the idea of UCC was influenced by similar codes drafted in European countries during the 19th century and early 20th century, and in particular the French code of 1804 that had eradicated all forms of customary or statutory laws prevailing at that time and replaced it with a uniform code. 
  • However, the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 sent a strong signal to the British to not alter the social fabric of India and respect the personal codes governing aspects of marriage, divorce, maintenance, adoption, and succession.
  • Post-Independence, against the backdrop of Partition, which resulted in communal disharmony and resistance to remove personal laws resulted in accommodating the UCC as a directive principle as discussed above. 
  • Although, the writers of the Constitution attempted to bring a Hindu Code Bill in the Parliament that included progressive measures like women’s equal rights of inheritance, unfortunately, it could not see the light of the day. 
  • It was only on 5th September 2005, when the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 received assent from the President of India that the discriminatory provisions regarding property rights in the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 were removed.

Is UCC – the need of the hour?

The Supreme Court has emphasised the importance of having a UCC in several cases – starting from the Shah Bano Begum case to the recent Shayara Bano versus Union of India case that questioned the legitimacy of the practice of talaq-e-bidat (triple talaq) and declared it unconstitutional.

  • Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum and others case: The Supreme Court dealt with the issue of maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure after Shah Bano’s husband pronounced talaq against her. While ruling on the case, Chief Justice YV Chandrachud observed that the Parliament should outline the contours of a common civil code as it is an instrument that facilitates national harmony and equality before law. Despite this, the government did not address the issue and brought forth the Muslim Women’s Protection of Rights on Divorce Act in 1986.
  • Silence until…
  • The case of Sarla Mudgal, President, Kalyani, and others versus Union of India and others , where the Supreme Court urged the government to secure a Uniform Civil Code based on the model of the Hindu code to protect the abused and achieving national solidarity. 
  • In a similar vein, the cases of Lily Thomas versus Union of India and ABC v. The State (NCT of Delhi) was dealt with. While in the former, the Supreme Court emphasised the significance of UCC in terms of succession, and in the latter, it held that a single mother of the Christian religion was eligible to apply for sole guardianship of her child without the assent of the natural father under the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890 that had not recognised the right of Christian single mothers. In this context, the court pointed out the inconvenience caused in absence of a uniform civil code.
  • While different minorities have been opposing UCC to uphold their individual rights and upholding their right to religion; the majority wants it to maintain homogeneity. The solution lies in debate, deliberation, taking different stakeholders into consideration, it should be completely depoliticized process-keeping the national interest at the core, it should be more of bottom-up than a top-down approach. 
  • As the current government brings measures like  increasing the age of girl child to 21 for marriage which is a laudable step to ensure gender equality, it needs to think how to ensure the overall development of the society including women by bringing in a UCC and how to balance the aims of Article 51 A (f) and Article 51 A(e) of the Constitution that deals with the aspects of valuing and preserving the rich heritage of composite culture and renouncing practices that are derogatory to the dignity of women respectively.

Can you answer the following questions?

  • How did the concept of UCC come into being? What were the steps taken in the post-Independence period to bring the UCC about? 
  • What lies behind the current government’s failure to implement it, and what is the possible way forward?

For a dedicated peer group, Motivation & Quick updates, Join our official telegram channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Explainer Videos, Strategy Sessions, Toppers Talks & many more…

ucc essay in english

Related Posts :

India challenges wto verdict on sugar, upsc quiz – 2022 : iasbaba’s daily current affairs quiz 20th january 2022.

ucc essay in english

  • DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –23rd May 2024
  • UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 23rd May 2024
  • DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –22nd May 2024
  • UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 22nd May 2024
  • DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –21st May 2024
  • [MOCK TEST] Sameeksha 2024 – IASbaba’s All India Mock Test for UPSC Prelims 2024 on 2nd June (SUNDAY). Available in Offline & Online Mode (English & हिन्दी)
  • UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 21st May 2024
  • DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –20th May 2024
  • UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 20th May 2024
  • DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –18th May 2024

Don’t lose out on any important Post and Update. Learn everyday with Experts!!

Email Address

Search now.....

Sign up to receive regular updates.

Sign Up Now !

ucc essay in english

IAS EXPRESS upsc preparation

Uniform Civil Code – Plurality Vs Uniformity

' src=

From Current Affairs Notes for UPSC » Editorials & In-depths » This topic

Dealing with a batch of petitions concerning an interfaith marriage undertaken by the petitioners and seeking protection from the Court, the Allahabad High Court asked the Central Government to execute the mandate of Article 44 of the Constitution of India [Uniform Civil Code]. The Bench of Justice Suneet Kumar noted that the issue of UCC, even though Constitutional, takes political overturns whenever raised or discussed in the public domain and demanded its implementation due to a multiplicity of marriage and family laws in place.

Uniform civil code upsc ias

This topic of “Uniform Civil Code – Plurality Vs Uniformity” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination , which falls under General Studies Portion.

What is the Uniform Civil Code?

The UCC in India aims at replacing the personal laws based on the customs and scriptures of each religious community with a common code or law governing every citizen.

Express Learning Programme (ELP)

  • Optional Notes
  • Study Hacks
  • Prelims Sureshots (Repeated Topic Compilations)
  • Current Affairs (Newsbits, Editorials & In-depths)
  • Ancient Indian History
  • Medieval Indian History
  • Modern Indian History
  • Post-Independence Indian History
  • World History
  • Art & Culture
  • Geography (World & Indian)
  • Indian Society & Social Justice
  • Indian Polity
  • International Relations
  • Indian Economy
  • Environment 
  • Agriculture
  • Internal Security
  • Disasters & its Management
  • General Science – Biology
  • General Studies (GS) 4 – Ethics
  • Syllabus-wise learning
  • Political Science
  • Anthropology
  • Public Administration

SIGN UP NOW

Why India needs Uniform Civil Code? (Pros)

  • Nature of India – A secular republic like India needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices.
  • Gender Parity – The rights of women are generally restricted under religious law, be it Hindu or Muslim. Triple talaq , priority given to men in terms of succession and inheritance are some examples.
  • Uphold rights – Many practices governed by religious tradition are contrary to the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian constitution.
  • Judicial orders – Courts have also opined that the government should move towards a Uniform Civil Code. For example – the Shah Bano case.
  • Constitutional mandate – The constitution has a provision for the Uniform Civil Code in Article 44 as a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) which mentions that “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. But DPSP cannot be enforced by the court. However, the legislature can enforce UCC by enacting a law.
  • National Integration – UCC would make the dream of “One Nation, One Law” come true. India believes in one nation and hence no community shall claim separate religious laws. In this way, it’ll promote national integration.
  • Young people’ aspirations – 55% of India’s population is comprised of people below 25% years of age. Their social attitudes and aspirations are based on universal principles of humanity, equality, and modernity. In order to realize their full potential for nation-building, their attitudes and aspirations should be respected.

Prelims Sureshots – Most Probable Topics for UPSC Prelims

A Compilation of the Most Probable Topics for UPSC Prelims, including Schemes, Freedom Fighters, Judgments, Acts, National Parks, Government Agencies, Space Missions, and more. Get a guaranteed 120+ marks!

Why is it not feasible in India? (Cons)

  • Practical difficulties – India is a country with diversity in religion, ethnicity, castes, etc. Hence it is practically not feasible to come up with uniform rules for personal issues like marriage due to the cultural diversity. It is also difficult to convince every community to replace their age-old traditions with a new law.
  • Violation of religious freedom – UCC is considered by religious minorities as an encroachment on their rights to religious freedom. They fear that their traditional religious practices will be replaced by the rules and diktats of majority religious communities.
  • The state should not interfere in personal matters – The constitution provides for the right to freedom of religion of one’s choice. UCC would violate that right.
  • Sensitive and difficult task – UCC in its true spirit must be created by borrowing from various personal laws, making gradual changes in each, issuing judicial pronouncements, assuring gender equality, and adopting expansive interpretations on marriage, maintenance, adoption, and succession. These are daunting tasks on human resource-wise. Moreover, the government should be sensitive and unbiased at each stage while dealing with the majority and minority communities. Otherwise, it might lead to communal violence.
  • Time is not suitable yet – There are already controversies over the beef ban, saffronization of school and college curriculum, love jihad, etc. At this time, the introduction of UCC would only make things worse as it would make Muslims more insecure and vulnerable to get attracted towards fundamentalist and extremist ideologies.

Law Commission’s recommendations

  • The commission stresses initiatives to reconcile the country’s diversity with universal arguments on human rights.
  • So that the prejudices and stereotypes in all religions can be brought to light.
  • They can eventually be tested against the anvil of the fundamental rights in the constitution.
  • It could help arrive at certain universal principles.
  • These may facilitate prioritizing equality instead of the imposition of UCC.
  • Fixing the marriageable age of boys and girls at 18 years so that they can marry as equals.
  • Making adultery a ground for divorce for men and women.
  • Simplifying the divorce procedure.
  • It suggested making polygamy a criminal offense and applying it to all communities.

What is the way forward?

  • UCC can only emerge through an evolutionary process. Hence major sensitization efforts are required to reform current personal law reforms which should be first initiated by the communities themselves.
  • Existing institutions should be modernized, democratized, and strengthened for this change.
  • Serious efforts towards women empowerment have to be taken for all women of all religions.
  • The plural democracy is an identity of modern India. Hence initiatives should be concentrated on bringing harmony in plurality, rather than blanket uniformity for flourishing Indian democracy.

Practice Question:

  • “A secular republic like India needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices”. Comment.

GET MONTHLY COMPILATIONS

Related Posts

 Child Malnutrition & Mid-day Meals

Child Malnutrition & Mid-day Meals

health rights

Awareness of sexual, reproductive health rights

New IT rules upsc

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethi...

Kalapani Dispute: Explained

Kalapani Dispute: Explained

guest

Ek bar magazine dekh sakate preview

Urmila Dhua

Without uniform civil code our constitution is not secular.personal laws of communities interfere in “FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.”

Madhu

Ucc should be enforced by making some changes. As minorities are feeling vulnerable that’s why gov. firstly should make them comfortable with the idea. As far as I could think this is not suitable time yet that’s why gov should take gradual steps forward and should encourage people to adopt a broad mindset. Extracurricular activities should be promoted in schools and colleges so that the youth would be aware of that if ucc implemented this would minimise inequalities. Gov must be unbiased and should not be hypersensitive in implementing ucc rather this would lead to vandalism.

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

  • See blocked member's posts
  • Mention this member in posts

Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Express LMS for UPSC banner

ucc essay in english

  • OUR CENTERS Bangalore Delhi Lucknow Mysuru Srinagar Dharwad Hyderabad

Call us @ 08069405205

ucc essay in english

Search Here

ucc essay in english

  • An Introduction to the CSE Exam
  • Personality Test
  • Annual Calendar by UPSC-2024
  • Common Myths about the Exam
  • About Insights IAS
  • Our Mission, Vision & Values
  • Director's Desk
  • Meet Our Team
  • Our Branches
  • Careers at Insights IAS
  • Daily Current Affairs+PIB Summary
  • Insights into Editorials
  • Insta Revision Modules for Prelims
  • Current Affairs Quiz
  • Static Quiz
  • Current Affairs RTM
  • Insta-DART(CSAT)
  • Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Prelims 2024
  • Secure (Mains Answer writing)
  • Secure Synopsis
  • Ethics Case Studies
  • Insta Ethics
  • Weekly Essay Challenge
  • Insta Revision Modules-Mains
  • Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Mains
  • Secure (Archive)
  • Anthropology
  • Law Optional
  • Kannada Literature
  • Public Administration
  • English Literature
  • Medical Science
  • Mathematics
  • Commerce & Accountancy
  • Monthly Magazine: CURRENT AFFAIRS 30
  • Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
  • InstaMaps: Important Places in News
  • Weekly CA Magazine
  • The PRIME Magazine
  • Insta Revision Modules-Prelims
  • Insta-DART(CSAT) Quiz
  • Insta 75 days Revision Tests for Prelims 2022
  • Insights SECURE(Mains Answer Writing)
  • Interview Transcripts
  • Previous Years' Question Papers-Prelims
  • Answer Keys for Prelims PYQs
  • Solve Prelims PYQs
  • Previous Years' Question Papers-Mains
  • UPSC CSE Syllabus
  • Toppers from Insights IAS
  • Testimonials
  • Felicitation
  • UPSC Results
  • Indian Heritage & Culture
  • Ancient Indian History
  • Medieval Indian History
  • Modern Indian History
  • World History
  • World Geography
  • Indian Geography
  • Indian Society
  • Social Justice
  • International Relations
  • Agriculture
  • Environment & Ecology
  • Disaster Management
  • Science & Technology
  • Security Issues
  • Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

InstaCourses

  • Indian Heritage & Culture
  • Enivornment & Ecology

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

EDITORIAL ANALYSIS :   The Uniform Civil Code

Source:  The Hindu

  • Prelims: Uniform civil Code, Directive Principles of State Policy etc
  • Mains GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development of various sectors, weaker sections of society and interventions for their development etc

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gujarat joined the list of States that have called for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

  INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

Uniform Civil Code:

ucc essay in english

  • It provides for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
  • Article 44 : It lays down that the state shall endeavor to secure a UCC for the citizens throughout the territory of India.

Constituent Assembly about the UCC:

  • Sub-committee on fundamental rights(headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) : It decided that securing a UCC was not within the scope of fundamental rights.
  • Member Naziruddin Ahmad from Bengal: UCC would come in the way of Article 19 of the draft Constitution-now Article 25 (which guarantees the right to freedom of religion subject to public order, morality, and health).
  • Member K.M. Munshi : UCC will promote the unity of the nation and equality for women.
  • B.R. Ambedkar: He stated that the Article “merely” proposed that the state shall endeavor to secure a UCC, which means it would not impose it on all citizens.

Arguments in favour of UCC:

  • Uniformity in cases: India does have uniformity in most criminal and civil matters like the Criminal Procedure Code , Civil Procedure Code etc
  • Gender Justice: If a UCC is enacted, all personal laws will cease to exist. It will do away with gender biases in existing laws.
  • Secularism : A secular nation needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices.
  • Various communities in India : Example: All Hindus are not governed by a homogenous personal law even after the enactment of the Hindu Code Bill.
  • Shariat Act: There is no uniform applicability when it comes to the Muslim personal law or the Shariat Act 1937.
  • Hindu Marriage Act of 1955: It prohibits marriages amongst close relatives but they are considered auspicious in the south of India.
  • Hindu Succession Act of 1956: Wives are not coparceners(a person who shares equally with others in the inheritance of an undivided estate) nor do they have an equal share in inheritance.

Arguments against UCC:

  • Plurality in already codified civil and criminal laws : So concept of ‘one nation, one law’ cannot be applied to diverse personal laws of various communities.
  • Example : Personal laws were placed in Concurrent List (power to legislate being given to Parliament and State Assemblies).
  • Customary laws: Many tribal groups in the country, regardless of their religion, follow their own customary laws.
  • Communal Politics : The demand for a uniform civil code is considered to be framed in the context of communal politics.
  • Article 25: It seeks to preserve the freedom to practice and propagate any religion.

Supreme Court judgements about implementation of UCC:

ucc essay in english

Law Commission about UCC:

  • Unified nation did not necessarily need “uniformity: Secularism could not contradict the plurality prevalent in the country.
  • UCC : It is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.

Recommendation by Law Commission:

  • Discriminatory practices, prejudices and stereotypes within a particular religion and its personal laws should be studied and amended.
  • Fixing the marriageable age for boys and girls at 18 years: So that they are married as equals
  • Simplifying the divorce procedure: Making adultery a ground for divorce for men and women.

What is the government’s stance?

  • Government : No plans to set up a panel to implement the UCC.
  • The chairperson and members of 22nd Law Commission ( 2021 ): They have not yet been appointed.

Way Forward

  • Separate aspects in stages: The Government could bring separate aspects such as marriage, adoption, succession and maintenance into a UCC in stages.
  • Government and society: They can make common cause with social reformers rather than religious conservatives.
  • Codification of all personal laws : Prejudices and stereotypes in every one of them would come to light and can be tested on the anvil of fundamental rights of the Constitution.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

  • Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions. (UPSC 2021)

(200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Left Menu Icon

  • Our Mission, Vision & Values
  • Director’s Desk
  • Commerce & Accountancy
  • Previous Years’ Question Papers-Prelims
  • Previous Years’ Question Papers-Mains
  • Environment & Ecology
  • Science & Technology
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

UPSC Coaching, Study Materials, and Mock Exams

Enroll in ClearIAS UPSC Coaching Join Now Log In

Call us: +91-9605741000

Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Pros and Cons in a nutshell

Last updated on February 29, 2024 by ClearIAS Team

Uniform Civil Code

The Union law ministry has recently asked the law commission to examine the matters about the implementation of the uniform civil code.

Table of Contents

What is the Uniform Civil Code?

The Uniform Civil Code

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India proposes to replace the personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in the country with a common set governing every citizen.

Is there a provision in the Indian constitution for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?

The constitution has a provision for a Uniform Civil Code in Article 44 as a Directive Principle of State Policy which states that “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”

After its liberation in 1961, Goa retained the Portuguese Civil Code, making it the only state to have a UCC for all religions.

2024: Uttarakhand assembly has passed the uniform civil code bill, hence this becomes the first state in the country after independence to adopt UCC.

ClearIAS UPSC Coaching

  • Constitutional Mandate: Article 44 says that the State shall endeavor to secure for citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.
  • Objective: The Bill proposes a common law on marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance for all citizens irrespective of their religion in Uttarakhand.
  • Provisions of the UCC Bill do not apply to tribal communities.
  • Bill aims to regulate live-in relationships.
  • Bill prohibits bigamy or marriages with more than one person etc.

What are the Pros of the Uniform Civil Code?

To provide equal status to all citizens.

In the modern era, a secular democratic republic should have common civil and personal laws for its citizens irrespective of their religion, class, caste, gender, etc.

To promote gender parity

It is commonly observed that personal laws of almost all religions are discriminatory towards women. Men are usually granted upper preferential status in matters of succession and inheritance. A uniform civil code will bring both men and women to par.

To accommodate the aspirations of the young population

Contemporary India is a new society with 55% of its population being below 25 years of age. Their social attitudes and aspirations are shaped by universal and global principles of equality, humanity, and modernity. Their view of shedding identity based on any religion has to be given serious consideration to utilize their full potential for nation-building.

To support the national integration

All Indian citizens are already equal before the court of law as the criminal laws and other civil laws (except personal laws) are the same for all. With the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, all citizens will share the same set of personal laws. There will be no scope for politicization of issues of discrimination or concessions or special privileges enjoyed by a particular community based on their particular religious personal laws.

To bypass the contentious issue of reform of existing personal laws

Existing personal laws are mainly based on the upper-class patriarchal notions of society in all religions. The demand of UCC is normally made by aggrieved women as a substitute for existing personal laws as patriarchal orthodox people still deem the reforms in personal laws will destroy their sanctity and oppose it profusely.

What are the Cons of the Uniform Civil Code?

The Pros and Cons of Uniform Civil Code

Practical difficulties due to diversity in India

It is practically tough to come up with a common and uniform set of rules for personal issues like marriage due to the tremendous cultural diversity in India across religions, sects, castes, states, etc.

ClearIAS UPSC Prelims Test Series

Read:  Personal laws in India

Perception of UCC as encroachment on religious freedom

Many communities, particularly minority communities perceive Uniform Civil Code as an encroachment on their rights to religious freedom . They fear that a common code will neglect their traditions and impose rules that will be mainly dictated to and influenced by the majority of religious communities.

Interference of state in personal matters

The constitution provides for the right to freedom of religion of one’s choice. With the codification of uniform rules and its compulsion, the scope of the freedom of religion will be reduced.

Sensitive and tough task

Such a code, in its true spirit, must be brought about by borrowing freely from different personal laws, making gradual changes in each, issuing judicial pronouncements assuring gender equality, and adopting expansive interpretations on marriage, maintenance, adoption, and succession by acknowledging the benefits that one community secures from the others. This task will be a very demanding time and human resource-wise. The government should be sensitive and unbiased at each step while dealing with the majority and minority communities. Otherwise, it might turn out to be more disastrous in the form of communal violence.

Time is not yet suitable for this reform

Considering the major opposition from the Muslim community in India over this issue overlapping with controversies over beef, saffronization of school and college curriculum, love jihad, and the silence emanating from the top leadership on these controversies, there needs to be given sufficient time for instilling confidence in the community. Otherwise, these efforts towards common will be counterproductive leaving the minority class particularly Muslims more insecure and vulnerable to get attracted towards fundamentalist and extremist ideologies.

  • At the end of the day, a UCC can only emerge through an evolutionary process, which preserves India’s rich legal heritage , of which all the personal laws are equal constituents.
  • The codification and implementation of UCC may not necessarily usher in the expected equality among genders and religions.
  • Major sensitization efforts are needed to reform current personal law reforms which should first be initiated by the communities themselves.
  • Current institutions need to be modernized, democratized and strengthened for this change. Sincere efforts towards women’s empowerment have to be taken for all women of all religions.
  • The plural democracy is an identity of modern India. Therefore, efforts should be focused on harmony in plurality rather than blanket uniformity for a flourishing Indian democracy.

Article by: Manjiri Mulye.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Aim IAS, IPS, or IFS?

ClearIAS UPSC Coaching

About ClearIAS Team

ClearIAS is one of the most trusted learning platforms in India for UPSC preparation. Around 1 million aspirants learn from the ClearIAS every month.

Our courses and training methods are different from traditional coaching. We give special emphasis on smart work and personal mentorship. Many UPSC toppers thank ClearIAS for our role in their success.

Download the ClearIAS mobile apps now to supplement your self-study efforts with ClearIAS smart-study training.

Reader Interactions

ucc essay in english

March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

Can u make an app for hindi medium students in hindi language for ias

ucc essay in english

April 8, 2017 at 4:03 pm

Please make notes for hindi medium students

ucc essay in english

April 22, 2017 at 8:03 am

Please make an android and ios supporting application for mobile phone users………..

ucc essay in english

May 13, 2017 at 6:44 pm

Thanx nation builders…

ucc essay in english

July 9, 2017 at 11:38 am

Good article

ucc essay in english

August 21, 2017 at 8:14 am

Uniform civi code is a universal reality .the only grey area is sharia law . Like Hindu law and Christian personnel law ,even in sharia law the sole guardianship of a child below five years of age is the child’s mother alone and if the child’s mother marries another person other than the child’s father before the child attains five years of age loose the guardianship of the child unequivocally and the child is designated an orphan with state taking over the legal guardianship till she opts to choose her biological father as guardian after crossing the child’s five years of age .this clearly shows that all personnel laws are having a common essence . The debate in implementing universal common civil code for all citizens should be completed this year with the introduction of the much awaited Bill in parliament with a provision for sharia laws to prevail incase of a conflict , if a question of law is raised in court and not as a general option for citizens of India which should alone be the civil code .

ucc essay in english

September 10, 2018 at 11:25 pm

The best i hv site ever used for ias preparation . Detail description and analysis helps in understanding to the depth

March 21, 2019 at 3:10 pm

Very much helpful article….Thank you

ucc essay in english

September 19, 2019 at 8:04 pm

nice article …. very useful

ucc essay in english

November 26, 2019 at 12:04 am

Sigi article si khra adum yara UCC gidi.

ucc essay in english

April 9, 2020 at 6:34 pm

Good informative article

June 15, 2023 at 1:49 pm

Conclusion is utter nonsense. It is very diplomatic conclusion unregard to needs and threats.

ucc essay in english

July 4, 2023 at 3:30 pm

We don’t require uniform civil ciddi

ucc essay in english

July 12, 2023 at 11:13 am

You don’t requird uniform civil code . We will not get to rights because of this . We went to live in muslim way only thnxx

ucc essay in english

July 13, 2023 at 11:30 am

BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UCC, BOTH MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS AND PRESENT GOVERNMENT SHALL MEET TOGETHER TO SEE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE UCC.

February 28, 2024 at 8:05 am

UCC IS AN BREACH FOR THE RELIGIOUS LAWS WE DONT WANT IT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS MUST

ucc essay in english

August 1, 2023 at 11:29 am

Uniform Civil code is a must, and will level the treatment of all citizens as equal, and it can and must be done in a way where the practices of all religions can be respected without gevernmant interference.

August 9, 2023 at 9:44 am

Nice article sir

March 16, 2024 at 3:19 pm

Whether the Uniform Civil Code Uttrakhand 2024 shall apply / govern on the agricultural lands in Uttarakhand.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

Follow the ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Integrated Approach.

Join ClearIAS PCM Course Now

UPSC Online Preparation

  • Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
  • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
  • Indian Police Service (IPS)
  • IAS Exam Eligibility
  • UPSC Free Study Materials
  • UPSC Exam Guidance
  • UPSC Prelims Test Series
  • UPSC Syllabus
  • UPSC Online
  • UPSC Prelims
  • UPSC Interview
  • UPSC Toppers
  • UPSC Previous Year Qns
  • UPSC Age Calculator
  • UPSC Calendar 2024
  • About ClearIAS
  • ClearIAS Programs
  • ClearIAS Fee Structure
  • IAS Coaching
  • UPSC Coaching
  • UPSC Online Coaching
  • ClearIAS Blog
  • Important Updates
  • Announcements
  • Book Review
  • ClearIAS App
  • Work with us
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Talk to Your Mentor

Featured on

ClearIAS Featured in The Hindu

and many more...

ucc essay in english

Take ClearIAS Mock Exams: Analyse Your Progress

ClearIAS Course Image

Analyse Your Performance and Track Your All-India Ranking

Ias/ips/ifs online coaching: target cse 2025.

ClearIAS Course Image

Are you struggling to finish the UPSC CSE syllabus without proper guidance?

Uniform Civil Code: A Judicial Analysis

Introduction.

The article aims to discuss, present and analyze judicially the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which is contained as a Directive Principle of State Policy in Article 44 of the Constitution and to present the findings and conclusions thereafter. It contains a brief history of UCC which also includes the arguments raised in the Constituent Assembly debates. It then goes on to present the cases in which the judiciary has talked about UCC and its need in India. It also tries to throw some light on the future prospects of a UCC which includes the right to freedom of religion challenge which is unarguably the biggest concern for any government which tries to come up with a UCC. It also addresses, in brief, the majoritarian aspect of UCC in the light of Uniform Code v. Common Code. It finally tries to present the findings and conclusions at the end. The article aims to answer two questions. Firstly, does Article 44 give the State the unquestionable power to come up with a UCC? Secondly, does the Right to Freedom of Religion challenge future legislation for UCC and provides for a plurality of personal laws?

Brief history of Uniform Civil Code and the journey of UCC in the Judiciary

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which finds a constitutional mention in the Directive Principles of State Policy is a set of civil laws which will be applied on all the citizens of India irrespective of the religion they follow. The domain of this code will be the civil matters of marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, succession, custody etc. This will mean that the citizens will not be governed by their personal laws in the civil matters concerned.

Article 44 being a part of Part IV of the Constitution does not permit the courts to compel the government to chalk out a Uniform Civil Code. Though the courts have felt the need for UCC, it is fully on the government to decide when and how to frame it. Not much effort has been made to achieve the aspiration of Article 44 apart from the codification of Hindu law.

Lining out the history of UCC and the journey of UCC in the judiciary, the following are some points of constituent assembly debates which are then followed by the cases in which the courts have talked about UCC in India and its prospects.

1. Constituent Assembly Debates

Mr. Mohamad Ismail Sahib believed that the idea behind bringing a UCC was to guarantee harmony via uniformity. He believed that in order to attain this harmony, it was not necessary to change the applicability of personal laws which according to him would lead to the opposite of what was sought – discontent and disharmony. Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad was of the view that the movement towards UCC should be gradual and consensual. According to him, the Parliament must assess the consent by interacting through the representatives of the religious communities.

K.M. Munshi put forth his views that like Muslims, many Hindus also believe that personal laws are part of Hinduism – the religion and giving consideration to this belief would hamper any objective of the government to ensure equality and to overcome inequality. And hence, this belief of some should not form a hindrance in achieving the goal of UCC. According to him, people should not practice discrimination under the garb of religion and a UCC would ensure safety from this. Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar put forth his view that harmony will be ensured by UCC because the main enemy to harmony will be differential treatment in civil matters which will be curbed by a UCC.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar put forth his viewpoint that even religious laws of Muslims on civil matters were not constant throughout India and the claim that Muslim Law was followed in India as a whole is nullified. For example, up to 1935, the Muslims of NWF Province were subjected not to Sharia Law but were subjected to Hindu Law. He said that due to reasons like this, the Muslim community should not feel that the Muslim law was the one which was applicable in India uniformly. A UCC can have certain portions of Hindu law not because they are of Hindu law but because the suitability and rationale for these provisions may be more.

2. Cases in which Courts have talked about UCC and its prospects

The Bombay High Court in State of Bombay v. Narasu Appa Mali [i] , observed that Hindus being punished for bigamy and Muslims being not punished cannot be said to be discrimination on grounds of religion and the sole reason behind this is the legislative intent that Hindu law can be reformed and marriage in it can be limited to one at a time and the same was not felt for Islam by the Legislature.

The Supreme Court in Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum [ii] case observed that it is indeed a matter of regret that the aspiration of UCC which is contained in Article 44 of the Constitution has not been implemented. The State despite of having the unquestionable and undeniable authority of chalking out a UCC has not taken any effort to do so. The Supreme Court even went a step ahead to express its desirability of a UCC by stating that it will bring about national cohesion and integration by ending the scope of differential treatment of people according to the religion they follow.

The onus is on the State to bring out a UCC and not on the communities to express their desirability for the same. Political and ideological difficulties should not be hindrances in achieving what is sought in Article 44. The Court believed that UCC would lead to justice to all and also referred to what Dr. Tahir Mahmood stated that Muslims should no longer care about changes and legislations in their personal laws but should aspire towards a common civil code for India and how Islamic laws can contribute in it.

The Supreme Court in Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India [iii] also stressed the inability of the governments to bring out a UCC. It is observed that when more than 80% of the citizens are already under a codified law (Hindu Law) then it does not make sense to leave out the rest of the citizens from the ambit of a uniform civil code. It also stressed an option to a Hindu man to simply convert to Islam to marry two wives at the same time and get away with any punishment for bigamy which seems unfair on the face of it. It observed that opposition cannot be made by communities to challenge UCC. Matters like marriage and succession etc. cannot be said to have religious safeguards under the Right to Freedom of religion. It step a further ahead and requested the State and governments to consider and fulfill what is bestowed upon them under Article 44.

The Supreme Court in Shayara Bano v. Union of India [iv] had observed that it is required by the Constitution of India that the State provides for a UCC to deal with the problems arising out of personal laws. A similar need for UCC was felt by the Apex Court in Jorden Diengdeh v. S.S. Chopra [v] . The Supreme Court in John Vallamattom v. Union of India [vi] expressed the need again and observed that religion and personal law cannot be said to have a relationship in a civilized society. Religious freedom and religion for personal laws are two completely separate and different things according to the Apex Court.

Delhi High Court in a recent judgment of Satprakash Meena v. Alka Meena [vii] observed again the need for UCC and observed that the young people of India should not be left to entangle with the issues arising due to varying provisions of personal laws according to the religions of the citizens regarding the civil matters like marriage etc.

Legal analysis of a prospective Uniform Civil Code

1. uniform code v. common code.

There have been arguments raised regarding a prospective Uniform Civil Code in regard to a common code. Article 44 instructs the State to come up with a ‘Uniform’ Civil Code and this ‘Uniform’ is distinguished from a ‘Common’ code. It can be said that the Article aspires for a system of laws for all communities to be based on uniform principles of social equality and gender justice. Extending personal laws of the majority religion (Hinduism) to all the citizens of the country would be called as ‘Common’ and not ‘Uniform’ code. It can be said that UCC demands for criticism of personal laws to further the principles of social justice and equality but not a complete repeal of the personal laws other than that of the majority’s. Article 44 can be interpreted to eliminate the evils of personal laws but at the same time, not impose personal laws of the majority on the minorities in the name of national integration. Revising personal laws to end practices of sex discrimination etc. will be a positive step towards uniformity in civil laws. [viii]

2. UCC v. Right to Freedom of Religion

It can be argued that Sharia is associated with the Prophet Muhammad and thereby an integral part of Islam. Altering Sharia laws and implementing UCC could easily be seen as a deprivation of Right to Freedom of Religion by Muslims. It can be argued that Sharia being a god-made law cannot be intervened into. Therefore, UCC can easily be seen as something communal and provocative or as a political tool rendering the whole motive of social justice and integrity by UCC futile. [ix] Therefore, it is important to assess the angle of Religion.

Justice Sahai while advocating the idea of UCC stressed on the need for caution to take into account the sentimental aspects. He stressed on the need to calm the sentiments and emotions and also for measures and activities which would bridge the present status to a prospective future UCC. [x] There have been counters to the claims put forward by people who see UCC as a breach of the Right to Freedom of Religion. Right to freedom of religion under Article 25 should not be construed as a right which covers personal laws in civil matters.

Also, Article 25 demands for following other provisions of Part III which involves a strict non-discrimination policy on grounds of sex etc. and therefore exploiting Article 25 to continue practices of discrimination against women in civil matters can be said to be a violation of the principle of equality. Revising personal laws to end discriminatory practices like polygamy, unilateral divorce and the absence of provision for maintenance in case of divorce cannot be said to be violating the Right to Freedom of Religion. [xi]

Over the years, arguments have also been raised that principles of equality, social justice and the right against discrimination should be placed above the religious personal laws which demand the exercise of unjust, unfair and unequal practices. It is rather strange that Muslim women need to suffer from discriminatory practices just because they are Muslim. Advantages of UCC can be proper notice period, registration of marriages and monogamy while retaining the religious customs of marriages in various religions. [xii] This can lead to the proper following of both the right to religion and equality. Even countries like Morocco, Pakistan, Iran, Syria etc. have codified their personal laws in which they have either prohibited or highly limited the practice of polygamy. [xiii]

An important Act which cannot be overlooked while discussing religion and UCC is the Special Marriage Act, 1954 which was applicable to the family affairs of all the citizens irrespective of their religion but in a voluntary manner. It was not according to the personal laws of Hindus or Muslims but interestingly was not objected to. Therefore, the principles and the laws which will be included in the future UCC should be divergent and should be taken from all personal law systems so that thought of biasness does not arise. Overall it would not be wrong to state that the judiciary will welcome UCC with great pleasure. Former CJI SA Bobde also lauded the Goa model of UCC in personal matters of Goans of all religions.

Findings, Conclusion and Suggestions

The courts have repeatedly expressed the need for UCC and the courts have also differentiated between the Right to Freedom of Religion and the applicability of personal laws based on religion. They have drawn a line as to what can be demanded under Articles 25 and 26 and have not observed personal laws as something which can be seen as a fundamental right . This will aid the governments who chose to bring out a UCC to end the discriminatory behavior of some personal law provisions and bring about more equality, integrity and unity.

But, the Courts have remained silent as to what proportion should be the laws in the UCC related to a specific community. Also, it can still be argued on lines of religion if a not-so-equal provision of Hindu law is included in the UCC and thus makes it mandatory for citizens of all religions to abide by it. It cannot be denied that arbitrariness may crawl in UCC and hence it would be very important on the part of the upcoming or present governments to tackle and act on a sensitive issue of Article 44 which has been avoided by the previous governments.

It can be argued that a section of the society will be asked to follow the personal laws of another religion. It can also be felt that the time is not ideal for UCC just like Law Commission in 2017 observed that UCC is not possible due to the huge diversity which India offers and safeguards. But, important intermediary steps need to be taken to come at a stage which can be said to be ‘the ideal time’ for UCC. Religion being a highly sensitive and sentimental issue in India, UCC should not only be non-violative of any laws and fundamental rights but should also respect and care about the feelings of minorities in order to attain its goal of national unity, integrity and social justice. Mingled with so many issues, it can be understood why previous governments have been reluctant to do anything regarding Article 44. Constitutional aspirations should be achieved but national peace and harmony also cannot be ignored.

The need to differentiate between religious faith and religious practices cannot be stated more. Overlooking discriminatory practices in the name of religion cannot be continued anymore. Countries like Germany, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Canada etc. are successfully observing a UCC. The governments need to act on the DPSP of Article 44. A great option can be to pick out the best personal laws from various religions and enact equal laws in case no religious law is appropriate in a certain area. It is also important not to incline entirely towards the majority religion while doing so and therefore neutrality need to be shown and established. A UCC which is not inclined toward a particular community’s personal laws can be the key just like the Special Marriages Act, 1954 .

It also cannot be denied that though there have been several opinions of the judiciary regarding the UCC, the entire onus is on the legislature to come up with a UCC. Hence, in the course of the article and the view of the judiciary, it is clear that the State has the power to come up with a UCC and it cannot be compelled by the judiciary. And, in the course of the article, it is also shown how religion is an important aspect but the Right to Freedom of Religion is not a barrier to UCC.

[i]  AIR 1952 Bom. 84.

[ii]  (1985) 2 SCC 556.

[iii] (1995) 3 SCC 635.

[iv]  (2017) 9 SCC 1.

[v]  (1985) 3 SCC 62.

[vi]  (2003) 6 SCC 611.

[vii]  2021 SCC OnLine Del 3645.

[viii] S.P. Sathe, Uniform Civil Code: Implications of Supreme Court Intervention , Vol. 30 No. 35 Economic and Political Weekly 2165, 2 (1995), https://www.jstor.org/stable/4403156.

[ix] Shabbeer Ahmed, Uniform Civil Code (Article 44 of the Constitution) A Dead Letter , Vol. 67 No. 3 Indian Journal of Political Science 550, 7 (2006), https://www.jstor.org/stable/41856241.

[x] Flavia Agnes, Hindu Men, Monogamy and Uniform Civil Code , Vol. 30 No. 50Economic and Political Weekly 3243, 1 (1995), https://www.jstor.org/stable/4403569.

[xi] S.P. Sathe, Uniform Civil Code: Implications of Supreme Court Intervention , Vol. 30 No. 35 Economic and Political Weekly 2166, 2 (1995), https://www.jstor.org/stable/4403156.

[xii] Leila Seth, A Uniform Civil Code: towards gender justice , Vol. 31 No. 4 India International Centre Quarterly 48, 2 (2005), https://www.jstor.org/stable/23005979.

[xiii] Shabbeer Ahmed, Uniform Civil Code (Article 44 of the Constitution) A Dead Letter , Vol. 67 No. 3 Indian Journal of Political Science 549, 7 (2006), https://www.jstor.org/stable/41856241.

This article has been written by Shivesh Didwania, 2nd year Law student at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.

Share This Post

Related posts.

'  data-srcset=

  • IAS Preparation
  • UPSC Preparation Strategy
  • Need For A Uniform Civil Code In A Secular India

Uniform Civil Code - Challenges, Suggestions & Debate On UCC [UPSC Notes]

Uniform Civil Code resonates with one country one rule, to be applied to all religious communities. The term, ‘Uniform Civil Code’ is explicitly mentioned in Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution. Article 44 says, “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” 

Uniform Civil Code – Indian Polity Download PDF Here

Context : Uniform Civil Code in India is a widely debated topic lately since the first petition was filed in 2019 to seek for framing of a UCC to promote national integration and gender justice, equality, and dignity of women.

Questions from it can be asked in the IAS Exam in Prelims, Mains GS-1 (Indian Society), GS-II (Governance), and also Essay papers. This article is an essay on the Uniform Civil Code in India. It talks about the challenges and suggestions in its implementation, part IV of Article 44 of the constitution and debates associated with uniform civil code.

Table of Contents:

Uniform Civil Code – UCC

ucc essay in english

A Uniform Civil Code means that all sections of the society irrespective of their religion shall be treated equally according to a national civil code, which shall be applicable to all uniformly.

They cover areas like- Marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and succession of the property. It is based on the premise that there is no connection between religion and law in modern civilization.

What is Article 44?

Article 44 corresponds with Directive Principles of State Policy stating that State shall endeavour to provide for its citizens a uniform civil code (UCC) throughout the territory of India.

Uniform Civil Code Debate

Historical perspective – The debate for a uniform civil code dates back to the colonial period in India.

  • The Lex Loci Report of October 1840- It stressed the importance and necessity of uniformity in the codification of Indian law, relating to crimes, evidence and contract. But, it also recommended that personal laws of Hindus and Muslims should be kept outside such codification.
  • The Queen’s 1859 Proclamation- It promised absolute non-interference in religious matters.

So while criminal laws were codified and became common for the whole country, personal laws continue to be governed by separate codes for different communities.

  • During the drafting of the constitution, prominent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B.R Ambedkar pushed for a uniform civil code. However, they included the UCC in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP, Article 44) mainly due to opposition from religious fundamentalists and a lack of awareness among the masses during the time.

Some of the reforms of this period were:-

The Hindu code bill -The bill was drafted by Dr.B R Ambedkar to reform Hindu laws, which legalized divorce, opposed polygamy, gave rights of inheritance to daughters. Amidst intense opposition of the code, a diluted version was passed via four different laws.

Succession Act- The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, originally did not give daughters inheritance rights in ancestral property. They could only ask for a right to sustenance from a joint Hindu family. But this disparity was removed by an amendment to the Act on September 9, 2005

The Hindu Marriage Act

Minority and Guardianship Act

Adoptions and Maintenance Act

Special Marriage Act:

  • It was enacted in 1954 which provided for civil marriages outside of any religious personal law.
  • Judicial interventions:

Shah Bano case (1985) :-

A 73-year-old woman called Shah Bano was divorced by her husband using triple talaq (saying “I divorce thee” three times) and was denied maintenance. She approached the courts and the District Court and the High Court ruled in her favour. This led to her husband appealing to the Supreme Court saying that he had fulfilled all his obligations under Islamic law.

The Supreme Court ruled in her favour in 1985 under the “maintenance of wives, children and parents” provision (Section 125) of the All India Criminal Code, which applied to all citizens irrespective of religion. Further, It recommended that a uniform civil code be set up.

Facts about the case:

  • Under Muslim personal law, maintenance was to be paid only till the period of iddat. (three lunar months-roughly 90 days ).
  • Section 125 of CrPC (criminal procedure code) that applied to all citizens, provided for maintenance of the wife.

Impact – After this historic decision, nationwide discussions, meetings and agitations were held. The then government under pressure passed The Muslim Women’s (Right to protection on divorce ) Act (MWA) in 1986, which made Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code inapplicable to Muslim women.

Daniel Latifi Case:-

Muslim Women’s Act (MWA) was challenged on the grounds that it violated the right to equality under Articles 14& 15 as well as the right to life under Article 21. The Supreme Court while holding the law as constitutional, harmonised it with section 125 of CrPC and held that the amount received by a wife during iddat period should be large enough to maintain her during iddat as well as provide for her future. Thus under the law of the land, a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to the provision of maintenance for a lifetime or until she is remarried.

Sarla Mudgal Case:-

In this case, the question was whether a Hindu husband married under the Hindu law, by embracing Islam, can solemnise a second marriage. The court held that the Hindu marriage solemnized under Hindu law can only be dissolved on any of the grounds specified under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955. Conversion to Islam and marrying again, would not by itself dissolve the Hindu marriage under the act and thus, a second marriage solemnized after converting to Islam would be an offence under section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

John Vallamattom Case:-

In this case, a priest from Kerala, John Vallamattom challenged the Constitutional validity of Section 118 of the Indian Succession Act, which is applicable for non-Hindus in India. Mr Vallamatton contended that Section 118 of the act was discriminatory against Christians as it imposes unreasonable restrictions on their donation of property for religious or charitable purposes by will. The bench struck down the section as unconstitutional.

Candidates who are preparing for UPSC 2024 , may check the linked article to know more about the upcoming IAS exam, its pattern, syllabus and more.

Related links:

CRM IAS Push Noti

The Constitution of India on the Uniform Civil Code

Part IV, Article 44 of the Constitution states that “The State shall endeavour to secure the citizen a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India”.

However, Article 37 of the Constitution itself makes it clear the DPSP “shall not be enforceable by any court”. Nevertheless, they are “fundamental in the governance of the country”. This indicates that although our constitution itself believes that a Uniform Civil Code should be implemented in some manner, it does not make this implementation mandatory.

Uniform Civil Code-The Constitution of India on the Uniform Civil Code

The candidates can read  IAS Topper strategies to align their preparation accordingly and be updated with tips and guidelines.

Other constitutional provisions relating to religious freedom and secularism are:

  • Article 15- No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
  • Article 25- Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion, subject to reasonable restrictions on the grounds of public order, health and mortality.
  • Article 25 (2)-provides for regulating secular activities associated with religious practices, social welfare and reform.
  • Article 26- Right to establish and administer religious institutions.
  • Article 27- Prohibits the state from levying a tax, proceeds of which are used for the benefit of a particular religion.
  • Article 28- deals with the issue of religious instruction in educational institutions.

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act inserted the word ‘secularism’ in the preamble. In the S.R.Bommai vs Union of India case, the Supreme Court held secularism as a basic feature of the constitution.

Goa Civil Code

Goa is the only Indian state to have a UCC in the form of common family law. The Portuguese Civil Code that remains in force even today was introduced in the 19th century in Goa and wasn’t replaced after its liberation.

  • The Uniform Civil Code in Goa is a progressive law that allows equal division of income and property between husband and wife and also between children (regardless of gender).
  • Every birth, marriage and death have to be compulsorily registered. For divorce, there are several provisions.
  • Muslims who have their marriages registered in Goa cannot practice polygamy or divorce through triple talaq.
  • During the course of a marriage, all the property and wealth owned or acquired by each spouse is commonly held by the couple.
  • Each spouse in case of divorce is entitled to half of the property and in case of death, the ownership of the property is halved for the surviving member.
  • The parents cannot disinherit their children entirely. At least half of their property has to be passed on to the children. This inherited property must be shared equally among the children.

However, the code has certain drawbacks and is not strictly a uniform code. For example, Hindu men have the right to bigamy under specific circumstances mentioned in Codes of Usages and Customs of Gentile Hindus of Goa (if the wife fails to deliver a child by the age of 25, or if she fails to deliver a male child by the age of 30). For other communities, the law prohibits polygamy.

Uniform Civil Code and Arguments For & Against

Arguments in favour of the Uniform Civil Code:

  • It will Integrate India- India is a country with many religions, customs and practices. A uniform civil code will help in integrating India more than it has ever been since independence. It will help in bringing every Indian, despite his caste, religion or tribe, under one national civil code of conduct.
  • Will Help in Reducing Vote Bank Politics- A UCC will also help in reducing vote bank politics that most political parties indulge in during every election.
  • Personal Laws Are a Loophole- By allowing personal laws we have constituted an alternate judicial system that still operates on thousands of years old values. A uniform civil code would change that.
  • Sign of a modern progressive nation- It is a sign that the nation has moved away from caste and religious politics. While our economic growth has been significant, our social growth has lagged behind. A UCC will help society move forward and take India towards its goal of becoming a truly developed nation.
  • It will Give More Rights to Women- Religious personal laws are misogynistic in nature and by allowing old religious rules to continue to govern the family life we are condemning all Indian women to subjugation and mistreatment. A uniform civil code will also help in improving the condition of women in India.
  • All Indians Should be Treated the Same- All the laws related to marriage, inheritance, family, land etc. should be equal for all Indians. UCC is the only way to ensure that all Indians are treated the same.
  • It Promotes Real Secularism- A uniform civil code doesn’t mean that it will limit the freedom of people to follow their religion, it just means that every person will be treated the same and all citizens of India have to follow the same laws regardless of any religion.
  • Change has been the law of nature-A minority of people should not be allowed to pick and choose the laws they want to be administered under. These personal laws were formulated in a specific spatiotemporal context and should not stand still in a changed time and context.
  • Many provisions of specific personal laws are in violation of human rights.
  • Article 25 and Article 26 guarantee the freedom of religion and UCC is not opposed to secularism.
  • The codification and unification of the variegated personal laws will produce a more coherent legal system. This will reduce the existing confusion and enable easier and more efficient administration of laws by the judiciary.

Uniform Civil Code – Challenges in its Implementation

Uniform Civil Code- Challenges in Implementation of the UCC

UCC is a debated-topic and forms an important part of UPSC Current Affairs which aspirants can check in the linked article.

The task of actually devising a set of rules that will govern all communities is a very formidable and tedious one considering the vast range of interests and sentiments to be accounted for.

  • Misinformation about UCC – Content of UCC has not been spelt out leading minorities to believe that it is a way of imposing majority views on them.
  • Lack of political will due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue.
  • Different religious communities have different personal laws which lead to the politicization of the UCC debate.

Opponents of UCC argue that personal laws are derived from religious beliefs. They maintain that it is prudent not to disturb them, as this runs the risk of engendering a great deal of animosity and tension between various religious communities. Also, India being a secular country guarantees its minorities the right to follow their own religion, culture and customs under Article 29 and 30. They argue that implementing UCC will contravene these articles.

Suggestions for Implementing a Uniform Civil Code:

To realize the goals of the DPSP and to maintain the uniformity of laws, the following suggestions need immediate consideration:

  • A progressive and broadminded outlook should be encouraged among the people to understand the spirit of the UCC. For this, education, awareness and sensitisation programmes must be taken up.
  • The Uniform Civil Code should be drafted keeping in mind the best interest of all the religions.
  • A committee of eminent jurists should be constituted to maintain uniformity and care must be taken not to hurt the sentiments of any particular community.
  • The matter being sensitive in nature, it is always better if the initiative comes from the religious groups concerned.

The Way Forward for UCC: Gradual Change

India has a unique blend of codified personal laws of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis. There exists no uniform family-related law in a single statute book for all Indians which is acceptable to all religious communities who co-exist in India. However, a majority of them believe that UCC is definitely desirable and would go a long way in strengthening and consolidating the Indian nationhood. The differences of opinion are on its timing and the manner in which it should be realized.

Instead of using it as an emotive issue to gain political advantage, political and intellectual leaders should try to evolve a consensus. The question is not of minority protection, or even of national unity, it is simply one of treating each human person with dignity, something which personal laws have so far failed to do.

How to Approach UCC for Civil Services Examination

For Prelims:

Polity- religion, secularism, personal laws, etc.

For Mains: General Studies Paper-II

  • Indian polity

Aspirants can get GS-II related articles from the table below:

Practice Questions for UCC

Sample questions are given below:

Prelims Paper I-

  • Part IV of the constitution deals with the uniform civil code
  • Uniform civil code has been recommended to ensure national integration.
  • Goa is the only state in India to have some form of uniform civil code
  • Part IV of the constitution is justiciable in nature

Essay Paper-

  • The Need for a Uniform Civil Code in a Secular India.

General Studies Paper-II –

  • Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the directive principles of state policy.
  • There is no necessary connection between religion and personal laws on the one hand and civil laws and personal laws are different on the other. In this context discuss the need for a uniform civil code and the different challenges associated with this.

UPSC aspirants should read more about various laws and constitutional amendments for IAS 2023. It would be beneficial to refer to NCERT Books on the subject. The concepts learnt should be linked to current affairs for the exam.

Daily News

UPSC Questions Related to Uniform Civil Code

What is the meaning of civil code.

A civil code is a systematic collection of laws designed to deal with the core areas of private law such as for dealing with business and negligence lawsuits and practices.

What is the Article 44?

Article 44 of the Indian Constitution defines a Uniform Civil Code. Article 44 says, ‘The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.’ The article is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Why does Goa have a uniform civil code?

The Goa Civil Code, also known as the Goa Family Law, was introduced in 1870 by the Portuguese who were ruling the state. After the liberation of Goa in 1961, the civil code was retained.

When was the Hindu code bill passed?

The Hindu Code Bills are a set of laws that were passed in the 1950s.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

ucc essay in english

IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

Download the ultimate guide to upsc cse preparation, register with byju's & download free pdfs, register with byju's & watch live videos.

Jump to navigation

Forgotten Spaces: Ecocriticism Social Justice, and the U.S. South (Collection of Essays)

The U.S. South is often a forgotten space within ecocritical discussions, yet it provides fruitful ground for thinking about environmental issues. In 2019, in the first edited collection of essays on the topic, Zachary Vernon notes that focusing attention on this bioregion might help “provide a way out of the limitations of thinking too locally or too globally,” and it might inspire a group of stakeholders to come to the table as well (7). One problem with ecocritical approaches is the long history of representing the U.S. South as an “internal other in the national imagination: colonized, subordinate, primitive, developmentally arrested, or even regressive” (Watson 254). Another issue is that both the environmental humanities and Southern studies have frequently been white spaces. This proposed anthology convenes a conversation about the U.S. South and environmental issues with an eye towards social justice. We seek theoretically-sophisticated essays attentive to intersections between race, class, gender, and sexuality within the U.S. South to round out our proposed collection.  Interdisciplinary environmental research from a variety of frameworks and disciplines is welcome, including literature, film, art, history, popular culture, public memory, sociology, political science, and geography. 

Questions to consider:

  • Why does the U.S. South seem like a forgotten space within ecocritical discussions?
  • How do we reach across entrenched divides and academic silos to engage in cross-disciplinary engagement with ecocritical concerns about the South?
  • What entanglements might we find between race, environment, gender, sexuality, class, and social justice?
  • How have artists, writers, activists, and cultural workers of color engaged with representing the environment, and what might their creative labor contribute to wider discussions beyond the academy?
  • How are rural and urban environments represented in the U.S. South? How are they represented from outside?
  • What constitutes the commons in the South? Was there ever really a Southern commons?
  • How are public parks, museums, and recreation areas curated in the South, and what might we learn about entanglements between race and the environment through attending to these spaces?
  • What is the history of traveling southward or leaving the South? What kinds of cultural constructions represent the region as a place to return to or escape from?
  • How might we interrogate Donna Haraway’s phrase “the plantationocene” to consider the vexed history of work, nature, and captivity in Southern spaces? 
  • How might we consider Settler colonialism, genocide, and Indian Removal within an ecocritical framework? How has a legacy of Settler colonialist violence in the South impacted the environment?
  • Can indigenous practices, beliefs, and cultural production be mobilized towards a Southern ecocriticism?
  • What are the many varieties of experience within different souths?

Other possible topics:

  • Climate change and its impact on southern spaces. Southern climate diaspora.
  • Hurricanes, floods, tornados. Natural disasters and social justice.
  • Disaster capitalism and southern spaces.
  • Sacrifice zones. Industrial pollution.
  • Carceral, military, and/or institutional Southern spaces.
  • Queer ecology and queer ecological souths.
  • Global approaches to environment and the U.S. South.
  • Animals and animality in southern cultural productions. Domestic/wild/wilding.
  • Southern megacities and the built environment in the U.S. South.
  • Race and nature in the South.
  • White supremacy and public spaces.

We seek MLA-formatted essays from 4,000-7,000 words. Please submit abstracts of 250-500 words by July 15, 2024. Notification of acceptance will be made by Aug. 1, 2024. And final essays will be due October 15, 2024. We will be submitting the proposal, table of contents, and sample essays to academic presses by Aug. 1, 2024.

Send abstracts and questions to: Katie Simon, Georgia College and State University,  [email protected]  and Catherine Bowlin, Elon University,  [email protected]

Your Best College Essay

Maybe you love to write, or maybe you don’t. Either way, there’s a chance that the thought of writing your college essay is making you sweat. No need for nerves! We’re here to give you the important details on how to make the process as anxiety-free as possible.

student's hands typing on a laptop in class

What's the College Essay?

When we say “The College Essay” (capitalization for emphasis – say it out loud with the capitals and you’ll know what we mean) we’re talking about the 550-650 word essay required by most colleges and universities. Prompts for this essay can be found on the college’s website, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. We’re not talking about the many smaller supplemental essays you might need to write in order to apply to college. Not all institutions require the essay, but most colleges and universities that are at least semi-selective do.

How do I get started?

Look for the prompts on whatever application you’re using to apply to schools (almost all of the time – with a few notable exceptions – this is the Common Application). If one of them calls out to you, awesome! You can jump right in and start to brainstorm. If none of them are giving you the right vibes, don’t worry. They’re so broad that almost anything you write can fit into one of the prompts after you’re done. Working backwards like this is totally fine and can be really useful!

What if I have writer's block?

You aren’t alone. Staring at a blank Google Doc and thinking about how this is the one chance to tell an admissions officer your story can make you freeze. Thinking about some of these questions might help you find the right topic:

  • What is something about you that people have pointed out as distinctive?
  • If you had to pick three words to describe yourself, what would they be? What are things you’ve done that demonstrate these qualities?
  • What’s something about you that has changed over your years in high school? How or why did it change?
  • What’s something you like most about yourself?
  • What’s something you love so much that you lose track of the rest of the world while you do it?

If you’re still stuck on a topic, ask your family members, friends, or other trusted adults: what’s something they always think about when they think about you? What’s something they think you should be proud of? They might help you find something about yourself that you wouldn’t have surfaced on your own.  

How do I grab my reader's attention?

It’s no secret that admissions officers are reading dozens – and sometimes hundreds – of essays every day. That can feel like a lot of pressure to stand out. But if you try to write the most unique essay in the world, it might end up seeming forced if it’s not genuinely you. So, what’s there to do? Our advice: start your essay with a story. Tell the reader about something you’ve done, complete with sensory details, and maybe even dialogue. Then, in the second paragraph, back up and tell us why this story is important and what it tells them about you and the theme of the essay.

THE WORD LIMIT IS SO LIMITING. HOW DO I TELL A COLLEGE MY WHOLE LIFE STORY IN 650 WORDS?

Don’t! Don’t try to tell an admissions officer about everything you’ve loved and done since you were a child. Instead, pick one or two things about yourself that you’re hoping to get across and stick to those. They’ll see the rest on the activities section of your application.

I'M STUCK ON THE CONCLUSION. HELP?

If you can’t think of another way to end the essay, talk about how the qualities you’ve discussed in your essays have prepared you for college. Try to wrap up with a sentence that refers back to the story you told in your first paragraph, if you took that route.

SHOULD I PROOFREAD MY ESSAY?

YES, proofread the essay, and have a trusted adult proofread it as well. Know that any suggestions they give you are coming from a good place, but make sure they aren’t writing your essay for you or putting it into their own voice. Admissions officers want to hear the voice of you, the applicant. Before you submit your essay anywhere, our number one advice is to read it out loud to yourself. When you read out loud you’ll catch small errors you may not have noticed before, and hear sentences that aren’t quite right.

ANY OTHER ADVICE?

Be yourself. If you’re not a naturally serious person, don’t force formality. If you’re the comedian in your friend group, go ahead and be funny. But ultimately, write as your authentic (and grammatically correct) self and trust the process.

And remember, thousands of other students your age are faced with this same essay writing task, right now. You can do it!

Professor Jeffrey Gonzalez publishes review essay in “Public Books”

Posted in: English Department , Homepage News and Events

screen grab from PublicBooks.org post. headline "We Were Not Than Band" - But What Was Sonic Youth. Black & White image of band is below

English professor Jeffrey Gonzalez recently published a review essay discussing Sonic Youth member Thurston Moore’s memoir, Sonic Life , in the online magazine Public Books . Professor Gonzalez’s review, which appeared on May 16, was included in Lithub’s “ LitHub Daily, ” whose editors describe their selections as “the best of the literary internet,” on May 20.

IMAGES

  1. Write an essay on Uniform Civil Code in English

    ucc essay in english

  2. Business Law in the UCC Essay Example

    ucc essay in english

  3. How to Write the UC Essay Prompts

    ucc essay in english

  4. Fillable Online ucc LAW ESSAY COMPETITION b2014b15 bAPPLICATIONb FORM

    ucc essay in english

  5. Academic Essay Structure Tips [Writing Guide]

    ucc essay in english

  6. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) essay in english

    ucc essay in english

VIDEO

  1. Three Minutes Essay

  2. Relaxing Piano Music • Sleep Music, Water Sounds, Relaxing Music, Meditation Music Calming Music

  3. How Can I Write a Basic Literary Analysis Essay?

  4. "What is a Climax?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

  5. English at JCCC Goes Way Beyond College Composition

  6. UCC In India Debate

COMMENTS

  1. Uniform Civil Code in India: Suggestions, Challenges and Essay for UPSC

    Since the first petition was submitted in 2019 to demand the creation of a UCC to promote national integration and gender equality, justice, and dignity of women, it has become a hotly disputed topic in India. Questions from it can be asked in the IAS Exam in GS-II (Governance), Mains GS-1 (Indian Society), Prelims, and also Essay papers.

  2. Essay Writing on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in English

    Uniform Civil Code (UCC), inserted in Article 44 of the Costitution is a widely debated topic in India. Uniform Civil Cod is a proposed law in India to create and execute personal laws of citizens regardless of their gender, religion, caste or community. Article 44 of the Constitution directs the State to implement Uniform Civil Code throughout ...

  3. Uniform Civil Code

    Second, between the two sexes. Uniform Civil Code will provide women with the right to equality and justice in courts of law- irrespective of their religion in matters pertaining to marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody of children, inheritance rights, adoption, etc. The Supreme Court for the first time directed the Parliament to frame a UCC ...

  4. Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Meaning, Constitutional Provisions, Debates

    Rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and secularism, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been a long-standing aspiration in India.Recent developments such as the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in Uttarakhand have reignited the debates surrounding it.This article of Next IAS aims to explain the meaning of the UCC, related constitutional provisions, its benefits and ...

  5. Just (Uniform) Civil Code

    The Law Commission of India has asked for views and proposals from the public regarding the UCC. The UCC has been a highly debated and politically charged issue in India. The Law Commission's previous stance on the UCC was that it was neither necessary nor desirable.UCC is a proposal to replace the personal laws of various religious communities with a common set of laws for all citizens.

  6. Uniform Civil Code Essay

    Long Essay on Uniform Civil Code 500 Words in English. Long Essay on Uniform Civil Code is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. The term Uniform Civil Code, originating from the Sanskrit term Samāna Nāgrika Saṃhitā, is a promise of secularism in India by the Preamble. It is also a source of dispute for many minority communities ...

  7. Essay on Uniform Civil Code 1000+ Words

    Essay on Uniform Civil Code 1000+ Words. The concept of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a subject of significant discussion and debate. In this essay, I will argue that the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in a diverse country like India has the potential to promote equality, justice, and legal uniformity.

  8. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

    The Uniform Civil Code in India will replace the existing religious personal laws in India and have a uniform law that will cater to all citizens, irrespective of their religion. The term ' Uniform Civil Code is explicitly mentioned in Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution. Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

  9. Explained : Uniform Civil Code

    Drishti IAS brings to you a new programme - In News. This programme will be covering the important news of the day from UPSC exam point of view. In particula...

  10. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India: An overview

    Context: As per the recent Allahabad High Court judgement that states that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a necessity and mandatorily required, there is a need to understand the phenomenon of the UCC in India. Article 44 of the Constitution declares that the state shall endeavour to secure the citizens a uniform civil code.

  11. PDF Uniform Civil Code: the Necessity and The Absurdity

    The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has always been piped as an effective tool to realise and effect the empowerment of the Indian women and uplifting their status in the social institutions such as family and marriage. This paper tries to evaluate the entire dialogue around the UCC, the arguments on its necessity and the various doubts on its nature ...

  12. Uniform Civil Code Debate: Meaning, Pros & Cons

    National Integration - UCC would make the dream of "One Nation, One Law" come true. India believes in one nation and hence no community shall claim separate religious laws. In this way, it'll promote national integration. Young people' aspirations - 55% of India's population is comprised of people below 25% years of age.

  13. Insights Ias

    Law Commission about UCC: Unified nation did not necessarily need "uniformity: Secularism could not contradict the plurality prevalent in the country. UCC: It is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.; Recommendation by Law Commission: Discriminatory practices, prejudices and stereotypes within a particular religion and its personal laws should be studied and amended.

  14. Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Pros and Cons in a nutshell

    Uniform civi code is a universal reality .the only grey area is sharia law . Like Hindu law and Christian personnel law ,even in sharia law the sole guardianship of a child below five years of age is the child's mother alone and if the child's mother marries another person other than the child's father before the child attains five years of age loose the guardianship of the child ...

  15. Uniform Civil Code: A Judicial Analysis

    June 25, 2022 by Law Corner. Table of Contents hide. 1) Introduction. 2) Brief history of Uniform Civil Code and the journey of UCC in the Judiciary. 2.1) 1. Constituent Assembly Debates. 2.2) 2. Cases in which Courts have talked about UCC and its prospects. 3) Legal analysis of a prospective Uniform Civil Code.

  16. PDF Uniform Civil Code: A Detailed Analysis

    Uniform Civil Code (UCC), defined in Indian Constitution under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of the State Policy states that it is the duty of the state to secure Uniform Civil Code for the residents throughout the region of India. In other words, it stands for "One Nation- One Law", irrespective of any religion.

  17. Uniform Civil Code

    The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply on all citizens equally regardless of their religion. Currently, personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures. [1] Implementation of a uniform civil code across the nation is pursued by India's ruling ...

  18. Essay Writing

    1. Before writing your essay make notes from the literature you read, noting references and page numbers. Plan your essay by deciding what issues need to be discussed and the order in which they should be considered. It is a good idea to draft a rough outline or essay plan (a list of topics/sites/artefacts and the problems related to them etc.).

  19. PDF VISION IAS

    The call for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has long featured in the political and legislative debates ever since before the days of formulation of the Constitution. Time and again, the Supreme Court has also been asserting the need for a UCC. Recently, Supreme Court described Goa (with a common family law) as a "shining example" where

  20. Current Students

    From Monday, 20 September 2021: Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, 9.30 am to 11 am and 2.30 pm to 4 pm. Enquiries can also be sent to [email protected]. In all communications, please clearly identify your name, student number, and year. You should also check Canvas regularly for Department information and updates.

  21. What is Uniform Civil Code in India

    Context: Uniform Civil Code in India is a widely debated topic lately since the first petition was filed in 2019 to seek for framing of a UCC to promote national integration and gender justice, equality, and dignity of women.. Questions from it can be asked in the IAS Exam in Prelims, Mains GS-1 (Indian Society), GS-II (Governance), and also Essay papers.

  22. English

    The rules/requirements for the UCC Department of English Undergraduate Awards are the same as those for the Global Undergraduate Awards, with the exception that 2nd and 3rd year entrants will be judged separately. There will be one winner for the Department of English Undergraduate Awards in each year and 3 to 4 highly recommended entrants.

  23. cfp

    We seek MLA-formatted essays from 4,000-7,000 words. Please submit abstracts of 250-500 words by July 15, 2024. Notification of acceptance will be made by Aug. 1, 2024. And final essays will be due October 15, 2024. We will be submitting the proposal, table of contents, and sample essays to academic presses by Aug. 1, 2024.

  24. Your Best College Essay

    So, what's there to do? Our advice: start your essay with a story. Tell the reader about something you've done, complete with sensory details, and maybe even dialogue. Then, in the second paragraph, back up and tell us why this story is important and what it tells them about you and the theme of the essay. THE WORD LIMIT IS SO LIMITING.

  25. PDF Guidelines for Essay Writing

    3. An explanation of the direction the essay will take: i.e. how you intend to answer the question 4. A summary or hint, if you are writing an argumentative essay, of the answer The Body of the Essay 1. Answers the question in a way that the reader cannot miss - obviously! 2. Contains a clear development of your points or arguments 3.

  26. Professor Jeffrey Gonzalez Publishes Review Essay In "Public Books

    English professor Jeffrey Gonzalez recently published a review essay discussing Sonic Youth member Thurston Moore's memoir, Sonic Life, in the online magazine Public Books. Professor Gonzalez's review, which appeared on May 16, was included in Lithub's "LitHub Daily," whose editors describe their selections as "the best of the literary internet," on May 20.