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

Examiners may confuse the Maharashtra committee with the Uttarakhand UCC implementation or the earlier Law Commission reports on UCC. Also, note that the committee is to 'prepare a draft' – not to 'implement' the UCC directly. Do not mix up the roles of the committee and the state legislature.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Committee size – 7 members; Chairperson – Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai; Report deadline – 6 months; Target session – Winter session 2026 (Nagpur). 2. Target this Nodal Body: Maharashtra Government (State Legislature) – not central government. 3. Target this Legal Point: Article 44 of the Constitution (Directive Principles) – not a Fundamental Right.

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Maharashtra Forms 7-Member Panel Under Justice Ranjana Desai for UCC Draft in 6 Months

Q: Which constitutional provision is the basis for the state government's action to set up a committee for a Uniform Civil Code?

Article 44 (Directive Principles of State Policy), Article 44 of the Constitution directs the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code. This is a non-justiciable directive principle, but it provides the constitutional basis for the government's initiative. The other options are either fundamental rights or amendment procedure, not directly related to the UCC objective.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code panel: 1. The committee is headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana Desai. 2. The committee includes former high court judges, an ex-chief secretary, and a former advocate general. 3. The committee has been mandated to submit its report within one year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct: Justice Ranjana Desai (retd. SC judge) is the chairperson. Statement 2 is correct: members include former HC judges R.C. Chavan and S.G. Mehare, ex-chief secretary D.K. Jain, and former advocate general Virendra Saraf. Statement 3 is incorrect: the deadline is six months, not one year. Hence option C is correct.

Q: According to the news, by when is the Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code committee expected to submit its report?

Within six months, The article states that the committee headed by Justice Desai is expected to submit its report within six months. The other options are close distractors – three months is too short, nine months and one year exceed the announced timeline.

Q: What is the primary objective of forming a committee to draft a Uniform Civil Code in Maharashtra?

To study the feasibility of implementing UCC and recommend a draft framework, The committee is constituted to 'prepare a framework for implementing a Uniform Civil Code' as per the CM's statement. It is not directly implementing the UCC but drafting a proposal. The objective is to study and recommend, not to replace laws overnight. Option C is incorrect because DPSPs are not enforceable. Option D is not mentioned.

Polity Social IssuesCORE

Target:MPSCUPSC GS-IITeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

09 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:7-member committeeJustice Ranjana Desai6 monthswinter session

Bodies:Maharashtra Legislative AssemblyMaharashtra Government

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Maharashtra sets up a seven-member committee under Justice (retd) Ranjana Desai to prepare a UCC draft.

2.Other members include former HC judges, ex-chief secretary, former advocate general, constitutional expert, and educationist.

3.Report due in six months; legislation planned for winter session of state legislature.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a seven-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai to draft a Uniform Civil Code. The panel is expected to submit its report in six months, with a possible bill in the winter session. This is a major step by a state toward implementing a politically sensitive reform linked to Article 44 of the Constitution.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Committee ChairpersonJustice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai (retd. SC judge)

Committee Size7 members

Other MembersR.C. Chavan, S.G. Mehare, D.K. Jain, Virendra Saraf, Ramesh Patange, Suvarna Rawal

Report Submission DeadlineWithin 6 months (by Jan 2027)

Target Session for LegislationWinter session of Maharashtra Legislature (Nagpur)

1-Minute Revision

›Committee Chairperson: Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai (retd. SC judge)
›Committee Size: 7 members
›Target this Data: Committee size – 7 members; Chairperson – Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai; Report deadline – 6 months; Target session – Winter session 2026 (Nagpur).
›Target this Nodal Body: Maharashtra Government (State Legislature) – not central government.
›Target this Legal Point: Article 44 of the Constitution (Directive Principles) – not a Fundamental Right.

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News Snapshot

⚖️

UCC Panel Formed

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis announces a 7-member committee to draft a Uniform Civil Code for the state.

👤

Key Appointment

Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai will chair the panel, with 6 other experts including former judges and civil servants.

📅

Timeline Set

The committee must submit its report within six months; the government aims to introduce the bill in the winter session in Nagpur.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a Directive Principle under Article 44 of the Constitution, urging the state to secure a uniform civil code for all citizens. While Goa already has a common civil code (Portuguese legacy), Uttarakhand became the first state post-independence to implement UCC in 2025. Maharashtra now joins the list, reflecting a growing political consensus on the issue.

Core Analysis & Implications

The composition of the committee is notable: it includes former judges, a constitutional expert, and an educationist – indicating a broad approach. The inclusion of a former advocate general and ex-chief secretary suggests administrative and legal expertise. The six-month deadline is aggressive, indicating high priority. The bill's introduction in the winter session could make Maharashtra the second state to enact UCC, setting a precedent for other states.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The draft will likely address personal laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. The committee may face challenges in balancing religious customs with uniformity. The state government's ability to pass the bill will depend on political support and public consultations. If successful, it could encourage other states like Gujarat, Assam, and Karnataka to follow suit.

Key Facts at a Glance

Committee ChairpersonJustice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai (retd. SC judge)

Committee Size7 members

Other MembersR.C. Chavan, S.G. Mehare, D.K. Jain, Virendra Saraf, Ramesh Patange, Suvarna Rawal

Report Submission DeadlineWithin 6 months (by Jan 2027)

Target Session for LegislationWinter session of Maharashtra Legislature (Nagpur)

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which constitutional provision is the basis for the state government's action to set up a committee for a Uniform Civil Code?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code panel:

1. The committee is headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana Desai.

2. The committee includes former high court judges, an ex-chief secretary, and a former advocate general.

3. The committee has been mandated to submit its report within one year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the news, by when is the Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code committee expected to submit its report?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is the primary objective of forming a committee to draft a Uniform Civil Code in Maharashtra?

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Maharashtra Forms 7-Member Panel Under Justice Ranjana Desai for UCC Draft in 6 Months

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

UCC Panel Formed

Key Appointment

Timeline Set

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance