Article 44 of the Constitution
The UCC as a Directive Principle
Article 44 of the Constitution of India, under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), directs the State to endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India. It provides a single set of personal laws — covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance — applicable to all citizens regardless of religion, in place of the current system of religion-specific personal laws (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi, etc.). Directive Principles under Article 37 are non-justiciable — courts cannot compel their enforcement — but they are constitutionally authoritative in guiding legislation. The Supreme Court has in multiple cases (most notably Shah Bano, 1985) called upon Parliament to enact a UCC.
- Article 44: Part IV DPSP — "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India"
- Directive Principles: non-justiciable (Article 37) but fundamental to governance
- Current system: religion-specific personal laws — Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1937, Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872, etc.
- Shah Bano case (1985): Supreme Court called for UCC; triggered political controversy and legislative override
- Goa: the only state in India with a pre-existing uniform civil code (Portuguese Civil Code, 1867; retained after Goa's annexation in 1961)
● Tracked since May 24, 2026 · last seen July 03, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes